The NSW Government has launched the state’s first dedicated Migrant Workers Centre, which is is expected to support 2,000 at-risk workers per year through culturally sensitive, community-connected support.
The Government has committed $6.5 million over four years to deliver these services.
Several reports from Federal Government, State Government and research institutes such as The McKell Institute, have highlighted limited English, lack of understanding of Australia’s workplace laws, and inadequate access to support as risk factors for exploitation.
With a Sydney CBD office and statewide outreach, the Centre will reach migrant workers in metro, regional, rural and remote communities, because Labor believes every worker deserves protection, no matter where they live or where they’re from, said Premier, Chris Minns.
“Every worker in NSW deserves to be safe at work, paid properly and treated fairly, regardless of their background,” said Mr Minns.
“This new centre will help workers understand their rights, get support when something goes wrong, and help stamp out exploitation in industries where vulnerable workers can too easily be taken advantage of.
“When workers are exploited, it drives down conditions for everyone. That’s why this is about protecting standards, fairness and lawful workplaces across NSW.”
The Premier said the new centre will build on the action already taken by the Government to strengthen workers rights across the state including through:
- Criminalising industrial manslaughter
- Banned manufactured stone, launched the silica worker register and expanded worker powers to conducting air testing of silica in tunnelling
- Establishing a Bullying and Sexual Harassment jurisdiction for the first time, with powers for the Industrial Relations Commission to issue enforceable orders and award damages
- Establishing SafeWork as a standalone regulator with more inspectors
- Increased penalties for non-compliance with SafeWork orders.
“All workers deserve to be treated with respect, to be paid fairly and to come home from work safely at the end of the day,” said Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis.
“We know that in some industries, migrant workers can and are being taken advantage of and this new centre will help workers know what their workplace rights are and to get support if they’re not being treated fairly.
“We are listening to workers and unions, and the NSW Government has committed $127.7 million over four years to SafeWork NSW to ensure safer worker places. This includes the largest ever uplift of inspectors with an additional 20 dedicated psychosocial inspectors deployed.”
Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Morey said the union had long advocated for and assisted migrant workers.
“The launch of the NSW Migrant Workers Centre is an important next step towards dismantling the systemic exploitation of migrant workers,” he said.
“All workers in New South Wales and Australia, regardless of where they come from or their visa status, are entitled to safe, fair working conditions.”
