Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill

Summary 

• The Salvation Army strongly supports the stated purpose of this Bill to “improve compliance and enforcement legislation to deter employers from exploiting migrant workers”. 
• The narrow scope of this Bill does not however adequately address the extent of the problem of migrant worker exploitation and potentially risks increasing exploitation through over-emphasis on tying workers’ visas to their employers. 
• The experience of the victims of exploitation needs to be at the centre of legislative responses to migrant worker exploitation. This Bill does not do this but instead focuses on one aspect of the employer’s compliance with employment and immigration law. Adding clauses to provide for compensation and restitution for harm caused would strengthen the Bill. 
• Disqualifying offenders from being directors and publishing their names will have some deterrent effect and is welcomed. 

 

 

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