Australia Employers Not Treating Foreign Workers Right
By Zul • Jul 14th, 2008 • Category: Career •
The Australia government recently found that many foreign workers hired by the employers in the country have been victimized and forced to work extra hours without overtime payment or other equal benefit entitlement.
The conduct is in violation against both human right and employment law.
Apart from being denied an equal salary than the local Australian doing the same work, they have also been subject to working in harsh condition, lack of medical benefits and care, and living in crammed accommodation.
Additionally, some of them were even threatened with cancellation of their visa if they refuse to work long hours.
Many of the foreign workers are recruited from the neighboring Asian countries, especially Philippines. The big chunk of them are worried to report the issue to the authority in fear of losing their job and be sent back to their countries.
The trend of hiring foreign workers in Australia escalated after many workers, especially the young ones, left their jobs to pursue lucrative mining jobs. Two major mining companies, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are ranked among the 10th largest companies in Australia in 2008, with BHP Billiton in number 1, and Rio Tinto in fourth.
A new legislation is in the planning as a move to protect the foreign workers in Australia and ensure the employers will meet the regulation and obligation by the government. The lowest pay for the employees will also be strictly guided by the minimum wage regulation in Australia.
Other posts you may want to read:
