Australia's law system is seen as 'hollow' by migrant workers, who rarely choose to chase up their unpaid shifts as a new report has shown.
Under Fair Work laws, migrants are entitled to hold their employers accountable for unpaid wages and entitlements through the small claims court. However, a Migrant Justice Institute report released on Thursday has found few do. The authors say the current Fair Work Act - intended to establish a guaranteed safety net of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum legal rights, and entitlements for all workers - is "effectively hollow".
"An extremely small number of workers take this step - in 2022-23, only 137 attempted to recover their wages across the country," the report says. "In reality, it is virtually impossible for most migrant workers to file and pursue a small claim without legal assistance." In 2019, the Commonwealth Migrant Workers' Taskforce recognised that the small claims court system was not enabling migrant workers to claim the wages they were owed.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Experts say the Coalition's plan to build nuclear reactors is 'virtually impossible' without taxpayer fundingWe asked Australia's largest energy companies, fund managers and a mining billionaire whether they think nuclear is a viable option for meeting our emissions targets — 'unicorns' and 'impossible with out subsidies' were some of the responses we got back.
Read more »
Lucy Letby ‘caught virtually red-handed’ trying to kill newborn baby, new trial hearsEx-nurse being retried on one count of attempted murder, with jury told on first day of her other convictions
Read more »
‘Virtually complete’ Stegosaurus fossil to be auctioned at Sotheby’s geek weekThe 11ft and tall and 20ft long fossil, nicknamed Apex, could fetch up to $6m as it’s celebrated as ‘one of the best unearthed’
Read more »
Tuberculosis isn't often seen in Australia, but I tested positive for TB this yearThe incidence of TB in Australia is low, but experts say we must remain alert to the disease, particularly with the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. This is what you need to know.
Read more »
Australia to help PNG with security and justice with new dealThe agreement came hours after China&x27;s Premier left Australia, and a month after reports PNG was considering signing a policing deal with Beijing.
Read more »
The ugly fight between one of Australia’s biggest unions and the AFLSarah Ferguson presents Australia's premier daily current affairs program, delivering agenda-setting public affairs journalism and interviews that hold the powerful to account. Plus political analysis from Laura Tingle.
Read more »