ABF officers will visit workplaces to detect, disrupt and deter migrant worker exploitation, as well as educate migrant workers on their workplace rights.
The Month of Action will incorporate Operation Inglenook, which was established in late 2022 to identify criminals who seek to exploit visa programs and visa holders who are victims of trafficking or modern slavery practices within the sex industry.
ABF Commander Vaughan Baxter said the practice of underpaying or exploiting migrant workers had no place in Australia and was not tolerated by the ABF.
“Migrant workers play a key role in filling Australia’s labour shortages and supporting a thriving economy, if they are underpaid or exploited it is not only unfair to migrants, but has potential to damage our international reputation.
“Making profits off the back of foreign worker exploitation is also unjust to employers who are doing the right thing and treating all workers properly.
“These unscrupulous employers should consider themselves on notice.”
He said that migrant worker exploitation came in many forms, including wage underpayment, pressure to work in contravention of visa conditions, threats of visa cancellation, working excessive hours and unsafe work practices.
“If anyone is being exploited or is aware of someone who is being exploited in some way, they can be assured these concerns can be reported through Border Watch, regardless of visa status,” he said.
