Companies Face Fines for Poor Migrant Worker Housing
ABC Gippsland
Topic: Agricultural Workers
Horticulture and meat processing have high worker exploitation risks.
In short:
The Victorian Labour Hire Authority has new rules for businesses housing workers.
Non-compliant providers may lose their licence and face over $160,000 in fines.
What's next?
Migrant groups hope these rules apply to other states and territories.
Labour hire companies housing migrant workers in poor conditions risk losing their licence.
The Victorian Labour Hire Authority has new licence conditions to prevent worker exploitation.
These conditions apply to businesses providing housing in high-exploitation industries like horticulture and meat processing.
Non-compliant businesses face fines over $160,000 and licence loss.
The Labour Hire Authority is increasing accommodation inspections.
The authority's director, Erin Barlow, says the changes protect vulnerable workers.
Workers tied to employment through housing can fear losing their job and home if they complain.
These workers are vulnerable to exploitation.
The new conditions respond to substandard worker accommodation found by the authority.
In 2025, 22 migrant workers were housed in unsanitary conditions in Gippsland.
Migrant workers in Victoria's east paid $190 weekly for overcrowded, mouldy accommodation.
The accommodation had sewage and black mould, affecting workers' health.
The authority saw some of the worst accommodation in this case.
Providers can expect more accommodation inspections with these new conditions.
'Not fit for an animal'
Migrant Justice Institute co-executive director Bassina Farbenblum welcomes the change.
Bassina Farbenblum says unhygienic accommodation harms workers' mental and physical health.
Migrant workers are subjected to appalling accommodation, she says.
It's good to see the Victorian Labour Hire Authority taking action.
The proof will be in how well the rules are enforced, with hopes for strict enforcement.
Living in unhygienic and overcrowded accommodation is demeaning.
Workers' ability to sleep and function is diminished, with issues of privacy and safety.
Other states like New South Wales should follow, shifting the impunity of labour hire providers.
Industry backs new conditions
Victorian Farmers Federation horticulture president Michael Crisera supports the change.
The industry needs to improve conditions for workers, he says.
Industries with labour hire need more compliance.
There needs to be education for labour hire providers and workers on standards.
Everybody must play a part in ensuring a win-win for staff and farmers.
Accommodation standards existed but were with other bodies like local councils.
The standards are now part of labour hire licence conditions, allowing the authority to take action.
The conditions apply to new labour hire licences in horticulture, meat processing, and other industries.
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