Harvest work contractor ’sacked backpackers after they asked for water’

A harvest work contractor in Bundaberg who allegedly deprived his workers of water has attracted substantial media attention over the weekend, shining the spotlight on Australia’s backpacking and working holidaymaker industry again.  

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported the alleged ill-treatment of at least seven backpackers who told the paper they “felt like slaves” and claimed they were sacked by a harvest work contractor for requesting water.

The contractor at the centre of the scandal, Mehmet “Max” Tosun, who operates East Bundy Backpackers with his wife Calie, refused to speak to the Herald but told the town’s local paper “they need to be told what to do” with his wife adding “I’ve heard people complain about the work, but if they don’t like it they can leave”.

Allegations against Tosun include the sacking of fruitpickers when they request water and evicting them from his hostel despite them having paid for a week’s accommodation in advance.

The backpackers interviewed by the SMH also claimed they were underpaid with one allegedly receiving as little as $9.60 for the day after being paid per bucket filled rather than by the hour. A spokesman for the Fair Work Ombudsman said piece rates should only be paid if the worker receives at least the federal minimum wage of $14.31 per hour.

Queensland’s Workplace Rights Ombudsman and the federal Fair Work Ombudsman have launched separate investigations into the operation. SP Exports, who own the farm on which the backpackers worked, has terminated its contract with Tosun.

The SMH also reported on Saturday details of the death of German fruitpicker Jessica Pera, who died while picking tomatoes on a farm near Childers in December. Pera’s cause of death is yet to be determined with the Bundaberg coroner – and her anxious parents – awaiting details of the autopsy report.

Her father Jurgen said his daughter sent an e-mail before starting work in Queensland in which she anticipated temperatures of up to 40 degrees. However, there is no suggestion the farm on which she died failed in their duty of care. A spokesperson for the farm said they insist workers drink four to six litres of water a day and wear hats and suncreen.

The Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel (BTAP) is exploring ways to counter the negative publicity and reassure travellers that safe and fairly paid work is available in Australia.

Backpacker Operators Alliance of Victoria (BOAV) board member Peter McMahon said all farm work contractors should be registered.

“All builders, plumbers, electricians and trade contractors have to be registered. If they do something wrong they have to answer for it and their operations are investigated. Farm work contractors shouldn’t be treated any differently,” he said.

By Alice Terlikowski  ·  March 15th, 2010 at 1:54 pm

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Comments


  1. Macca
    17 Mar 10
    2:13 pm

    2. When the backpackers started working in the harvest industry 85% were working direct for the grower or farmer.

    During this time I not only witnessed backpackers being supplied with drinking water but hats, shirts, jackets and in one case a vegetable grower supplied gumboots for the wet. A lot of this disappeared over the last few years when the labour hire contractors took control.

    In January this year the ABC reported how an Australian Workers Union official had urged horticulturists to ensure the contractors they use are legitimate as they had weekly complaints about missing wages and unfair conditions.

    The ABC reported last week that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship supports a national campaign to educate the horticulture industry about its obligation to employees.

    A department spokesman said visa holders represent a significant proportion of the harvest workforce and it is crucial the industry complies with immigration requirements in its employment practices.

    The spokesman said The Fair Work Ombudsman’s campaign will raise awareness of the serious consequences for workers and employers who breach Australia’s immigration laws.

    The National campaign involves the National Farmers Federation, Australian Workers Union, Horticulture Australia Council and the Australian Industry Group as well as government agencies.

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