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 would be guaranteed a minimum rate of pay, effective from end-April 2022.
Yet non-compliance and wage theft continue.
