Evidence of exploitation of Pacific Islander farm workers has recently been uncovered in Bundaberg.

The most disturbing thing is that this issue was found to be occurring in Australia in 2022, years after slave trade was supposedly abolished in our country.

Pacific Islander workers living and working in Bundaberg had to seek urgent assistance to have their visas restored under the PALM Scheme after they claimed they were induced by a non-approved employment firm to work illegally.

It’s alleged an interstate-based contractor “exploited” the workers after they came to Australia to work and make money to send home to their families in Vanuatu.

At least 50 workers claim the contractor “exploited” them, and felt they had been 'blackbirded' like their forefathers in the late 1800s, where men were coerced into coming to Australia to work and forced into slave labor and harsh conditions on sugar cane farms by the government.

An interstate human rights law firm and Bundaberg motel manager Amanda Slade joined forces to help the vulnerable workers after the motel manager discovered her guests were living off a few dollars a week.

Horrific stories were told by Vanuatuan men who accused the current Australian Government of allowing modern day slavery in Bundaberg; stories which were shared with Bundaberg NewsMail reporter, Angeline Lowther. 

The NewsMail is now campaigning to put an end to seasonal worker exploitation by farmers and labor hire agencies through a Royal Commission held by the Australian Government.

We're calling on the government to consider an overhaul of labour hire regulation, including tightening regulations and issuing more regular compliance checks; re-establish relationships and hold crisis talks with Pacific Island nations providing workers to Australia; reconsider continued privatisation of the PALM scheme, provide financial support to farmers to assist them with the health and wellbeing of their seasonal workers; and publicly recognise farmers and labour hire groups who provide excellent working conditions and fair pay to hard-working seasonal workers. 

Show your support by signing this e-petition to #EndExploitation and show the Australian Government that a Royal Commission is desperately required to investigate the issues surrounding seasonal farmwork.