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Research and Policy Guides
This Research and Policy Brief considers migration frameworks that would enable migrant workers to safely speak up, leave abusive employers without losing their visa, or temporarily remain in their country of employment at the end of their stay in order to recover the wages they are owed and hold abusive employers to account.
A case study of recent advances in the United States which enable migrant workers, including undocumented workers, to remain in the country for up to two years with work rights in order to pursue unpaid wages and other labour claims.
Led by the Migrant Justice Institute and Human Rights Law Centre, the Breaking the Silence proposal urges the Federal government to establish whistleblower protections that would enable migrant workers to report exploitation without risking their visa.
Migrant workers are routinely subjected to wage theft throughout the world. Most unpaid workers will never recover their wages because government and business systems fail them.
Submissions
Submission to the Senate Standing Committees On Legal And Constitutional Affairs’ inquiry into the Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023 [Provisions],
Supplementary submission - Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023
Joint submission with HRLC - Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023
Supplementary submission (question on notice): Inquiry into the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022
Submission: Inquiry into the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Protecting Migrant Workers) Bill (2021)
Submission No 32 to NSW Portfolio Committee No. 3 - Education Inquiry into Future Development of the NSW Tertiary Education Sector (2020)
Submission No 33 to Senate Select Committee on Temporary Migration Inquiry into the impact temporary migration has on the Australian economy, wages and jobs, social cohesion and workplace rights and conditions (2020)
Submission 102 to Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into unlawful underpayment of employees' remuneration (2020)
Submission No 21 to Senate Standing Committees on Education and Employment Inquiry into the exploitation of general and specialist cleaners working in retail chains for contracting or subcontracting cleaning companies (2018)
Submission No 42 to Queensland Education, Employment and Small Business Committee Inquiry into Wage Theft in Queensland (2018)
Journal Articles
News
Law Society Journal Online | Cat Woods
MJI’s Laurie Berg spoke to LSJ Online following the release of the report “Off the Books: Inside Australia’s hidden system of migrant exploitation” in which the data reveals a dire system in which many employers systematically underpay migrants and evade the Fair Work Act.
The Canberra Times | Tom Wark
Two-thirds of migrant workers are underpaid, according to a major survey a prominent anti-slavery official is pleading becomes a wake-up call.
The Age | Annika Smethurst
The largest study of migrant working conditions in Australia has found 65 per cent are underpaid, with more than one-third earning below the minimum wage.
The Australian | Ria Pandey
The systematic exploitation of workers on temporary visas has become embedded in Australia’s labour market, MJI’s landmark new report has found.
SBS News
A major new survey - conducted by MJI - reveals widespread migrant worker exploitation, underpayment and insecure work.
ABC Gippsland | Lily Kristanto
There are concerns over the housing conditions provided for PALM scheme workers. MJI’s Laurie Berg spoke to Lily Kristanto from the ABC Gippsland to discuss this matter.
aap | Robyn Wuth
Pacific workers who flock to Australia on temporary visa are too afraid of losing their jobs to fight for better pay and working conditions.
ABC News | Scout Wallen
There are calls to expand the eligibility of a workplace justice program that allows visa holders to extend their stay while they're pursuing workplace exploitations claims. MJI’s Bassina Farbenblum spoke to Scout Wallen from the ABC to discuss this matter.
ABC News | Joe O’Brien
There are growing calls to fix the gaps in the government’s workers compensation scheme, including to extend the scheme to cover migrant workers. The Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) is under review and MJI’s Bassina Farbenblum joined Joe O’Brien to disscuss this matter on the ABC News on Monday, 17 March 2025.
ABC News | Joshua Boscaini
Migrant exploitation experts call for increase to services accredited with certifying Workplace Justice Visas. Migrant Justice Institute co-executive director Laurie Berg said while the pilot was world-leading, the government needed to expand the list of partner organisations able to process claims.
Key Opinion Pieces
Books
