The ongoing restructuring of work in Australia towards more contract, casual or short term jobs is generating a catastrophe for millions of workers. At the recent Formula One event in Melbourne, workers were sought for the ‘opportunity’ to work for no pay at all, while workers at Sydney airport have had to sleep at work because they cannot go home between shifts. On a more systemic level, conditions for Pacific Island workers employed under the Seasonal Worker Program have been described as basically that of slaves. Report after report has found migrant workers continue to be systemically exploited and abused by their employers.
The ongoing restructuring of work in Australia towards more contract, casual or short term jobs is generating a catastrophe for millions of workers. At the recent Formula One event in Melbourne, workers were sought for the ‘opportunity’ to work for no pay at all, while workers at Sydney airport have had to sleep at work because they cannot go home between shifts. On a more systemic level, conditions for Pacific Island workers employed under the Seasonal Worker Program have been described as basically that of slaves. Report after report has found migrant workers continue to be systemically exploited and abused by their employers.
