FEATURE REPORT
Too Much to Lose: The systems that keep exploited migrants silent
Two in three migrant employees in Australia are underpaid. Six times out of seven, it goes unchallenged. Drawing on the experiences of almost 10,000 migrant workers, this report shows why staying silent is the rational choice for most, and what it would take to make speaking up safe, possible and worth it.
“Bad things happen a lot for international people.”
“Student visa holders tend to compensate their rights just for keeping their jobs.”
“We feel alone, especially as students.”
“Simply having a job is considered fortunate…”
“Bad things happen a lot for international people.” “Student visa holders tend to compensate their rights just for keeping their jobs.” “We feel alone, especially as students.” “Simply having a job is considered fortunate…”
“Most cash-paying workers think that they have also committed an illegal act, so no one reports it.”
“I’m their hostage now working for them and being in AU on bridging visa, so I cant leave them and have no other choice.”
“dont wanna be seen as a trouble maker.”
“I’m not confident enough that if I complain now, it’ll lead to anything or not.”
“Most cash-paying workers think that they have also committed an illegal act, so no one reports it.” “I’m their hostage now working for them and being in AU on bridging visa, so I cant leave them and have no other choice.” “dont wanna be seen as a trouble maker.” “I’m not confident enough that if I complain now, it’ll lead to anything or not.”
“i feel like am begging for money.”
“The boss can change your shifts, or even you may lose your job since your boss can find a lot of excuses to do that.”
“It’s hard to get help, the process is too cumbersome, and I don’t have time to waste on this.”
“We should have some support or some place where we can go and talk about our issues.”
“i feel like am begging for money.” “The boss can change your shifts, or even you may lose your job since your boss can find a lot of excuses to do that.” “It’s hard to get help, the process is too cumbersome, and I don’t have time to waste on this.” “We should have some support or some place where we can go and talk about our issues.”
WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE ON VISAS SILENT
1 in 3
said speaking up could cost them their job
Over 1 in 4
said a complaint could put their visa at risk
Almost 2×
Union members were almost twice as likely to try to recover their wages
Staying silent is the rational choice. Six times out of seven, underpayment of migrant workers goes unchallenged. Employers control the shifts and jobs workers depend on, visa settings put their future in Australia on the line, and reporting systems rarely deliver. Only 3% of underpaid migrants went to the Fair Work Ombudsman, though 59% knew about it.
The employers who underpay the most are the least likely to be caught. Enforcement mostly waits for workers to come forward, but those paid less than $20 an hour, who were owed the most, were the least likely to act. The worst workplaces stay out of sight.
Five barriers keep migrants silent. Most face more than one at once.
Employer leverage: employers control the shifts that casual and ABN workers depend on, and can cut them in retaliation.
Migration settings: visa rules tie many workers to their job, so a complaint can put their visa or path to residence at risk.
Knowledge: information and help don't reach migrants when they need them. Being underpaid isn't a crime, but three in four think a worker who accepts an underpaid wage might be breaking the law.
Process: wage recovery is too complex and uncertain to pursue without help, and dishonest employers often leave workers without the evidence to prove it.
Peer inaction: underpayment is so widespread that it's become the expected price of a job.
Speaking up has to be safe, possible and worth it. Government holds primary responsibility: it must enforce the law at the scale the problem demands and make speaking up safe. Businesses that profit from migrant labour can't wait for complaints that won't come. Universities and unions can reach workers when it counts.
Too Much To Lose is the second report based on our National Temporary Migrant Work Survey.
See more about the survey →
FIND WHAT YOU NEED
Are you a worker on a temporary visa?
Understand your workplace rights and how to access support if you've been underpaid or exploited.
Are you in industry?
Understand your migrant exploitation risks.
View the practical guidance for business →
Explore industry data sector-by-sector →
Interested in PALM workers?
Check out our report on our separate 2024 survey of workers on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme.
UTS Law Faculty and UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice are proud supporters of the Migrant Justice Institute. MJI is a charity registered with ACNC. ABN 84654507758.