The court case this week of an Afghan refugee that was paid anywhere between 60 and 20% of the minimum wage while working at a fruit and vegetable market in Melbourne, is an example of the systemic exploitation that vulnerable workers face, especially those in the agricultural sector. Whether it is backpackers on working holiday visas, or Pacific Islander workers on special work visas, they face the same type of exploitative conditions in the extensive agricultural sector in Australia. Only via determined organising by unions, will this exploitation be decreased.
The court case this week of an Afghan refugee that was paid anywhere between 60 and 20% of the minimum wage while working at a fruit and vegetable market in Melbourne, is an example of the systemic exploitation that vulnerable workers face, especially those in the agricultural sector. Whether it is backpackers on working holiday visas, or Pacific Islander workers on special work visas, they face the same type of exploitative conditions in the extensive agricultural sector in Australia. Only via determined organising by unions, will this exploitation be decreased.
