URGENT UPDATE: Women in Australia’s PALM scheme are facing harrowing choices between maintaining their work visas and their health, as a shocking new report highlights severe exploitation of migrant workers. The report, released by UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata, reveals a dire situation where approximately 95% of women migrant workers are opting for abortions to retain their visa status, often under coercion.
In a disturbing testimony, Dr. Trudi Beck, a general practitioner in Wagga, confirmed that these women are not making personal choices but are forced to comply with the harsh conditions of their temporary visas. “They know that they will breach their visa requirements if they become pregnant,” Beck stated during a recent parliamentary inquiry.
The report comes as allegations of systemic abuse within the PALM scheme, which employs 31,500 workers primarily in agriculture and meat processing, have surfaced. Workers are reportedly subjected to deceptive recruitment practices, excessive wage deductions, and dangerous working conditions. Many have been found to lack access to basic health services, leaving them vulnerable and isolated.
Former Leeton mayor Paul Mayton shared a heart-wrenching account of a migrant woman who lost her baby to state care due to her inability to afford health services. “She said, ‘I didn’t know what to do, Paul, because I have no money, so I agreed to it. But I want my babies back,’” Mayton recounted.
The report also highlighted that some women have been coerced into marriage under threats of losing their visas. Worker advocates Geoffrey and Jane Smith reported witnessing such incidents on farms, where employers exerted control over personal lives to maintain compliance.
Notably, Australia’s anti-slavery laws are under scrutiny for being insufficient, as Dr. James Cockayne, NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, emphasized the need for stronger penalties against exploitative employers. He noted that the current legal framework fails to deter abusive practices, making it economically viable for employers to continue exploiting vulnerable workers.
Concerns about illegal deductions have also been raised, with reports indicating that some workers take home as little as $100 a week after mandatory deductions for accommodation and other costs. For instance, a contract reviewed by reporters revealed a worker was charged nearly $1,900 for a return flight home, despite average fares ranging between $550 and $800.
The implications of this report are significant. With 62 PALM workers having died in Australia between June 2022 and August 2025, the urgency for reform is pressing. The Australian government is urged to take immediate action to protect the welfare of these vulnerable workers and ensure their rights are upheld.
As the situation develops, stakeholders are calling for immediate reforms to the PALM scheme, including measures to facilitate easier transitions between employers and enhance protections for female workers. The growing number of women in the scheme calls for urgent attention to their specific vulnerabilities.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical issue as the inquiry continues to unfold. The voices of these women deserve to be heard, and action must be taken NOW.
