In collaboration with the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC), we have put together the following examples to show what workplace exploitation can look like, and how to get help.
Every worker deserves respect, dignity and safety at work, no matter what visa they hold. For many temporary visa holders, though, uncertainty about visa conditions can make it harder to speak up when something isn’t right. Understanding what harassment and exploitation can look like, and knowing that protections exist, is the first step towards a safer workplace for everyone.
When Harassment Doesn’t Stop
Emma is on a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, working in a bakery in Broome. Her employer has been making inappropriate comments about the way she looks, despite Emma asking him several times to stop. With her visa due to expire, she has been worried that raising this could put her future in Australia at risk.
This is exactly the kind of situation the Workplace Justice visa was created for. It allows temporary visa holders like Emma to remain in Australia to bring a claim against an employer, without their visa status standing in the way of justice.
How we can help: our team can talk you through whether you may be eligible and support you through a certification assessment. Find out more about the Workplace Justice Visa: https://www.mwcwa.com.au/wjv
When Speaking Up Feels Risky
Mohammad is studying in Perth on a Student (subclass 500) visa and working in a kitchen for an employer who pays him $10 an hour in cash, which has pushed him to work beyond the hours his visa allows. When Mohammad asked to be paid properly, his employer threatened to have his visa cancelled for breaching its conditions.
Threats like this are exactly what visa cancellation protections exist to prevent. They allow workers like Mohammad to report exploitation and pursue a claim against an employer, without fear that doing so will cost them their visa.
How we can help: our legal team can walk you through these protections and help you report safely. Book a free, confidential one to one legal support session: https://www.mwcwa.com.au/one-to-one
Every Situation Is Different
Emma and Mohammad’s stories are illustrative examples, put together to show how these protections can apply. Every situation is different, so if any of this sounds familiar, please get in touch with our legal team so we can look at what is happening for you and talk through your options.
Get in Touch
The Multicultural Workers Collective is here to help you navigate migration related workplace rights safely and confidently.
Visit our support page: https://www.mwcwa.com.au/support
Call us: (08) 6313 6000
Email us: multiculturalworkers@unionswa.com.au