URGENT UPDATE: An alarming new report reveals that migrant workers in Australia are facing severe exploitation, with many women forced to choose between their work visas and their pregnancies. The findings, published by UN Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata, highlight disturbing patterns of abuse, including coerced abortions, hazardous working conditions, and deceptive recruitment practices.
According to the report, which was released just last week, approximately 31,500 workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste are part of the PALM scheme, predominantly employed in agriculture and meat processing. Many of these workers are subjected to unreasonable picking targets and harsh penalties for not meeting quotas, leading to extreme physical exhaustion and health crises.
One former supervisor at a Queensland farm disclosed that workers often collapse from dehydration, with some requiring CPR due to heart attacks induced by unsafe conditions. “They would work until they couldn’t walk,” she stated, emphasizing the life-threatening environment in which these individuals toil.
The situation has become dire, with medical professionals revealing that a staggering 95% of temporary visa workers they encounter choose to terminate pregnancies, not by personal choice but to retain their work status. Dr. Trudi Beck, a GP from Wagga, explained that women feel compelled to abort to avoid breaching visa requirements, which would force them to return home.
In a recent inquiry, former Leeton mayor Paul Mayton recounted the heartbreaking story of a woman who had her baby taken into state care after giving birth prematurely, lacking both health coverage and financial support from her employer. “I didn’t know what to do… I agreed to it. But I want my babies back,” she told Mayton.
Moreover, allegations of coerced marriages have surfaced, with reports of employers threatening to revoke visas if workers do not comply. One advocate, Geoffrey Smith, described the case of a couple who felt pressured into a rushed wedding under coercion, illustrating the horrifying extent of manipulation faced by these vulnerable workers.
The UN report highlights that many workers experience illegal wage deductions, with some taking home as little as $100 a week after exorbitant fees for accommodation, transport, and other services mandated by employers. A recent investigation revealed that Madec, one of Australia’s largest labour hire firms, generated nearly $200 million in revenue, largely through labor hire, while exploiting workers financially.
The findings have led to calls for a crackdown on unscrupulous practices within the PALM scheme. NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dr. James Cockayne noted that current penalties for abusive employers are insufficient, allowing exploitation to persist. He urged the federal government to establish more lenient regulations for workers wishing to change employers, as the bureaucratic process is often long and complex, leaving workers vulnerable to further exploitation.
As of August 2025, 62 PALM workers have tragically lost their lives in Australia, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change in the treatment of migrant laborers. A spokesperson from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations stated that the government takes the welfare of these workers seriously, yet significant reforms are desperately needed to protect their rights.
This situation is developing rapidly, and advocates are urging immediate action to safeguard the rights and health of migrant workers in Australia. As more stories of exploitation come to light, the pressure is mounting on authorities to intervene and implement comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of those who contribute to the Australian economy.
