The Law Report | Damien Carrick

Damien spoke to one of the first exploited migrant workers to obtain the new workplace justice visa.

He also interviewed our Co-Executive Director Laurie Berg about our All Work, No Pay report.

The conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum

Tragically, a deep fear of immigration consequences means most unlawful employer conduct goes unreported.

On Wednesday, however, the government officially launched a two-year pilot of innovative visa reforms that could bring these workers out of the shadows.

ABC | Gabriella Marchant and Sean Mantesso

A case brought to the Federal Court by 12 Pacific Islander female workers alleges the group was subject to persistent sexual harassment.

Laurie Berg, co-executive director of the Migrant Justice Institute, says there is a "cycle of impunity" when it comes to the abuse of migrant workers.

SBS News

Australia's law system is seen as "hollow" by migrant workers, who rarely chase up underpayment from their employers, according to a new report.

The Guardian | Cait Kelly

Of the 4,000 migrant workers interviewed, over half were underpaid. Most knew this, but 9 in 10 did nothing. One went to court – but recovered none of their wages. It is not clear that wages claims are being systematically resolved via other legal forums or by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the report said.

The Conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum

The widespread underpayment of migrant workers in Australia is now well-documented. The vast majority never recover the wages they are owed.

THE PIE | Sophie Hogan

A survey examining the degree to which international students are exploited while working in Australia is launching another edition in July.

CHOICE | Andy Kollmorgen

“I think that we as a society have come to expect low prices when it comes to things like fruit and vegetables and takeaway shops on sort of the lower end of the restaurant and hospitality scale. But the business model often relies on underpayment of temporary visa holders."

ABC | Katri Uibu

“University of Technology Sydney academic Laurie Berg said: "I think employers routinely take advantage of that and it actually is a business model in some industries, where employers will seek out undocumented workers in order to avoid compliance with Australian labour law."

AFR | Michael Read

“Advocates for limiting the working holiday program to one year argue the requirement to work in the regions left workers open to exploitation. A survey by the Migrant Justice Institute found that almost half of all working holidaymakers reported being paid well below the minimum wage.”

Australian Financial Review | Michael Read and Tom McIlroy

“Advocates for limiting the working holiday program to one year argue the requirement to work in the regions left workers open to exploitation. A survey by the Migrant Justice Institute found that almost half of all working holidaymakers reported being paid well below the minimum wage.”
(Subscriber only article)

Sydney Morning Herald | Angus Thompson

“University of Technology, Sydney, Associate Professor Laurie Berg, an expert in temporary labour migration, said that as of last month, there were 529,000 international students in the country. She said, according to a 2020 survey she conducted, 65 per cent of student visa holders held jobs.”