Amid the conga-line of evidence showing that temporary migrants have been ruthlessly exploited on Australia’s farms, which has frequently been labelled “modern slavery”, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) last year lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to amend the Horticulture Award to guarantee a minimum casual rate of pay for all farm workers.
In an historic victory for the AWU, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruled that workers on Australian farms will be guaranteed a minimum rate of pay when changes to the Horticulture Award come into effect tomorrow.
Under the FWC’s ruling, farm workers can still be paid a piece rate, but they will be guaranteed a minimum wage for each day that they work.
