I gave evidence to the Inquiry into Modern Slavery Risks Faced by Temporary Migrant Workers in Rural and Regional New South Wales. We discussed troubling realities such as forced labour, deceptive recruitment practices, wage violations, and precarious housing conditions. The submission that me and my colleagues made highlights structural factors making temporary migrant workers especially vulnerable, including inadequate regulation of labour-hire firms, limited data-sharing and reporting pathways, and the critical need for intersectionally-informed policies. Our submission offers detailed recommendations for strengthening worker protections, better enforcing workplace standards, proactively addressing the impacts of climate change, and creating more secure housing strategies.

Together with my colleagues Associate Professor Stephen Clibborn and Professor Chris Wright I made a submission to the Inquiry into Modern Slavery Risks Faced by Temporary Migrant Workers in Rural and Regional New South Wales.

This inquiry couldn’t come at a more crucial time—temporary migrant workers remain among our most vulnerable, often caught in a web of exploitation that’s hidden in plain sight. Our submission zeroes in on some urgent priorities to address migrant worker exploitation:

• Firstly, there’s the necessity of bolstering worker protections at both state and federal levels. Why should temporary migrant workers fall through cracks simply because their visa status makes them easy targets? State-level advocacy and supplementary protections could help bridge some dangerous gaps.
• Secondly, the spotlight shines brightly on labour hire regulations. Let’s face it: shady labour hire companies often get away with unacceptable practices. Introducing rigorous licensing schemes in NSW—especially in high-risk industries like agriculture and meat processing—could significantly disrupt exploitation networks.
• Then there’s data sharing. Rural migrant workers are frequently invisible to regulators. We need stronger reporting mechanisms, perhaps a robust hotline and anonymous digital reporting tools, to expose exploitative trends and act swiftly.
• Housing isn’t just about having a roof over your head. For migrant workers, employer-controlled accommodation often means being stuck in bad situations. The call here is for housing strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by seasonal workers—breaking the vicious cycle that ties jobs too closely to housing.
• Climate change. Extreme weather means uncertain working conditions, which employers might exploit further. We need a climate-resilient, multi-stakeholder approach to ensure migrant workers aren’t left stranded when disaster strikes.
• Finally, it’s not enough to have blanket solutions. Policies must recognise how race, gender, visa status, and language intersect, amplifying vulnerabilities. Only by addressing these overlaps directly can we ensure real, meaningful protections.

Our full submission on migrant worker exploitation can be found below.