The growth of temporary migration visas since the 1990s has turned Australia into a “guest worker state” creating an underclass of young, vulnerable and often exploited employees, a new report suggests.
The Migrant Workers Centre’s Lives in Limbo report found 65% of temporary visa holders had experienced wage theft.
Based on interviews with 700 temporary visa holders in Australia, the report – released this week – found a clear link between workplace exploitation and temporary visa status, with 91% of workers who experienced wage theft arriving on a visa with no pathway to permanent residency.
