A Woorinen fruit grower supplying two major supermarkets is facing allegations of exploiting illegal migrant workers.
A joint ABC and Fairfax Media investigation which aired on the 7.30 program looked at the underworld of illegal underpaid workers.
Woorinen stone fruit grower Cutri Fruit was one of several operators targeted in the media campaign.
The 263-hectare farm that grows nectarines, peaches, apricots and plums will now be investigated by Fair Work Australia, according to the Victorian Farmers Federation.
The use of exploited illegal foreign workers in Australia’s horticulture sector is under intense scrutiny.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is running a major national investigation, the Harvest Trail Inquiry, and the federal government has created the Migrant Worker Taskforce, led by Professor Allan Fels and made up of officials from multiple agencies including the Australian Border Force and the FWO.
“There is enough evidence to say that it is systemic…significant numbers [of migrant workers] are really exploited,” Professor Fels said.
Victorian Industrial Relations Minister Natalie Hutchins said the exploitation had “been rife in Victoria for a long time”.
Foreign workers on short-term visas are not allowed to work while those with student visas can work up to 20 hours per week.
To read more of this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (November 18).
