Australian Border Force ‘names and shames’ companies exploiting migrant workers, including local Cheesecake Shop
- 148 companies were found to be exploiting migrant workers
- Their names are publicly available.
A popular chain of restaurants and bakeries is among the places placed on a ‘name and shame’ list after it was found to be exploiting migrant workers.
The Australian Border Force revealed on Monday that 148 “rogue” Australian employers had been penalized during the 2022-2023 fiscal year for exploiting migrant employees in workplaces.
Companies from a variety of industries were found to be breaking the law, including the hospitality, automotive, construction and hairdressing sectors.
Employers who fail to meet their sponsorship obligations can face large fines, be barred from hiring migrant workers in the future, and be publicly named in the Registry of Sanctioned Sponsors on the ABF website.
ABF revealed on Monday that 148 employers had been sanctioned during the 2022-2023 fiscal year for exploiting migrant workers.
In South Australia, iconic baker The Cheesecake Shop in Salisbury, north of Adelaide, has had its worker sponsorship terminated.
The largest number of companies facing sanctions from the ABF were located in Queensland, with 49 companies reportedly sprung up by officers.
Western Australia followed with a whopping 40 companies, while the more populous states of NSW and VIC had around 20.
South Australia was last with 16, while the Northern Territory and ACT were not included in the ranking.
The Cowes location of the popular La Porchetta restaurant chain, in the busy tourist area of Phillip Island, was among those listed for Victoria, and received a sanction ban.
In South Australia, iconic baker The Cheesecake Shop in Salisbury, north of Adelaide, has had its worker sponsorship terminated.
Planit Test Management Solutions in NSW received the largest infringement notice, with a massive $90,750 fine.
In July, ABF officers carried out a bombing operation targeting companies that sponsor migrant workers to defend labor rights, including pay, conditions, and health and safety.
Acting ABF Commander Vaughan Baxter said employers could also be referred for further investigation to other agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office.
“The practice of underpaying or exploiting migrant workers has no place in Australia and employers who take advantage of their migrant workers need to know what it will cost them,” Mr Baxter said.
The Cowes location of the popular La Porchetta restaurant chain was among the sanctioned businesses listed for Victoria
Employers ‘named and shamed’ who violated migrant workers’ rights can be found on the ABF website
“The underpayment and exploitation of migrant workers is a long-standing problem that can significantly affect workers and damage Australia’s international reputation.”
ABF officers across the country are understood to have visited hundreds of workplaces in July to educate migrant workers and their employers about legal rights and obligations in the workplace.
“Migrant workers don’t always have family and networks here for help and advice when they’re treated unfairly at work,” Mr. Baxter said.
Baxter said reporting on labor exploitation, which can be done anonymously, “can be crucial in shedding light on what is an insidious problem.”
He said business reports can be made through the Border Watch website, regardless of a person’s visa status.
