MP calls for website to educate backpackers on workers’ rights

A Queensland MP has called for a website to be set up to educate backpackers on their work rights before they enter the country.  

Member for Bundaberg Jack Dempsey told the News-Mail there should be an information website for travellers to consult at home, then booklets made available on arrival.

He said: “What we need is a system where people are educated on their rights and the responsibilities of hostels and farm operators while in the country. It should start before they even get here. If people are given this information right from the start, then the industry will have to accommodate these rights and responsibilities. It’s the lack of knowledge that is making these people accept the treatment they are getting. They don’t know any better.”

The comments follow allegations of ill-treatment of backpackers by unscrupulous harvest work contractors and Dempsey called for a co-ordinated, nationwide approach to the problem.

“We need to work together to stop the treatment of travellers in not only Bundaberg, but all of Australia,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is supporting a national campaign to educate the horticulture industry about its obligations to employees.

A DIAC spokesman told the ABC visa holders represent a significant proportion of the harvest workforce and it is vital the industry complies with immigration requirements. He added the Fair Work Ombudsman’s campaign will highlight the consequences for workers and employers of breaching immigration laws.

The campaign involves the National Farmers Federation, Australian Workers Union, Horticulture Australia Council and the Australian Industry Group, as well as government agencies, but the ABC says Riverina Citrus is concerned the crackdown will only work if labour hire contractors are also targeted.

By Martin Lane  ·  March 17th, 2010 at 9:16 am

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Comments


  1. Ivan
    17 Mar 10
    10:17 pm

    2. If there was a website setup to educate backpackers on their work rights before they enter the country, our site (HCC – holidaycarclub) would be very keen to know about it and link to it.

    The HCC site is used extensively for research before a backpacker hits the country, this would be more good information we can provide visitors.

    Also happy to host some content in our forum if it would help :-)

    Cheers

    Ivan

  2. Dan Lucas
    22 Mar 10
    4:11 pm

    3. It’s true that many working holidaymakers are unaware of their rights at work, especially in harvest / fruitpicking jobs. A website dedicated to educating WHM’s of their employment rights is a great idea, but as an industry we can easily make this information freely available right away.

    A summary of harvest workers rights at work and the 2010 Horticulture Award is available in the Useful Links section on the TAW website: http://www.taw.com.au/DesktopD.....p;tabid=90

    We distribute this information to TAW Members via email and at the Travellers Contact Point work & travel info sessions, available for anyone to attend.

    Travellers need to be made aware that most harvest workers are paid a ‘piecework’ rate and this amount is determined by the employer. Whilst most employers pay a fair rate and take great care of their workers, they are able to offer almost any rate per ‘piece’ and travellers have little option but to accept it or leave the farm.

    Travellers also need to know that they are not protected by the award if they are being paid cash by their employer and not paying tax.

    As a basic security measure, we encourage all travellers to research their employer and speak with current / ex-employees before starting work. A quick Google search will often reveal good / bad reports allowing travellers to make an educated decision about the quality of the employer / position.

    Dan Lucas, General Manager, Travellers At Work

  3. Andrew Smith AIEC
    23 Mar 10
    3:25 pm

    4. The simple solution would be including on http://www.australia.com website for the widest possible audience, organically. This is because TA at least has the respect and virtual marketing knowledge to allow reciprocal links with Aussie Specialists who can be found by local other language web searches.

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