Fair labor crackdown in four states reveals dozens of farms are not paying workers properly

Dozens of agricultural businesses across the country have been found to be non-compliant in an ongoing blitz by the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure workers get the right pay .

Key points:190 farm businesses in four states were surveyed to ensure they were paying their workers correctly61% of farms surveyed in northern New South Wales found to be non-compliant _1g_Rg">This comes after the Fair Work Commission ruled that workers who pick fruit by the piece must be guaranteed a minimum wage as part of the horticulture award, which came into effect. effective end of April.

Since December, nearly 200 farms and orchards have been inspected in Coffs Harbor and Grafton in northern New South Wales, the Riverland region of Australia -South, Wide Bay and Moreton Bay in the Queensland and North West Victoria.

"We are strategically targeting employers in 15 sensitive regions over two years where we have identified high risks of non-compliance," said Sandra Parker, Fair Work Ombudsman.

"This sector employs many vulnerable workers, such as migrants, who may be unaware of their rights or unwilling to speak up."

Inspectors were on high alert for illegal low rates of pay and violations of record keeping and payslips. " data-component="Figure" data-uri="coremedia://imageproxy/101419374">190 agricultural businesses in four states were investigated.(ABC Rural: Grace Whiteside)Non-compliance is a concern

En December, 33 agricultural businesses were inspected in Coffs Harbor and Grafton in northern New South Wales.

O Of the 33 businesses, 20 were not complying with agricultural laws. work.

Ms Parker said the main problem identified by the commission was violations of record keeping.

"Record keeping of records is where the employer is required by law to write down the hours its workers work, who they are, what they pay them...what we find is that employers don't keep good records," he said. she declared. .

11 companies were found to have breached their record keeping and payslip obligations, leading inspectors to impose fines of just less than $20,000.

"And they don't issue proper payslips either…we expect employees to do so properly," Ms. Parker said.< /p>

"We think this is pretty basic and every worker has the right to understand that .

"So these issues are of concern and they continue."