Midhun Basi, and Indian-origin migrant chef on a temporary work visa in Australia, has no job or visa sponsor today. But his jobless status is not without a reason.
Mr Basi who was working at a New South Wales restaurant ‘Adithya Kerala’ in Nowra has complained about being overworked and underpaid to the tune of over $200,000 in just under two years.
He told that he clocked in 70 hours every week, but was paid only for 38 and that too with no overtime and no penalty rates.
“I would not dare to ask him anything, because I was scared that maybe he (would) cancel my visa and send me back to India”, Mr Basi told ABC News.
Mr Basi is just one of many temporary migrant workers in Australia who are chronically underpaid by their employers as revealed by the 2017 ’.
Malwinder Singh * who works at a bakery in Perth has recently registered a complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman against his employer Kulwant Sahni*.
He has contended that Mr Sahni not only underpaid him, but also asked him to return $400 in cash from his wages at the end of every month.
But unlike Mr Basi, Mr Singh has found another job and a new sponsor at a newly-opened restaurant in the city; a safety lease which he says gave him the “guts to register a formal complaint" against his former employer.
“I obviously couldn’t have complained against him earlier. But today I have a job and I feel safe. He can no longer cancel my visa or send me back”, Mr Singh told SBS Punjabi.
“But the worst part is that he (former employer) was from my own community. When our own people exploit us, then you wonder who to trust in a new country”, added Mr Singh.
Mr Singh also told SBS Punjabi that he believes not many “trapped workers” know a way out or are aware of the ways of lodging a complaint against exploitative employers.
To make things simple for the likes of Mr Singh, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has installed a ‘’ to help workers ascertain their minimum pay rates, penalty rates and allowances.
All one has to do is select an award and classification, employment type and age to find out the exact wage rate.
For instance, a full time hair dresser with at least 12 months of experience is entitled to $20.38 per hour, while a full time hospitality industry worker of over 20 years of age with an introductory-level experience is entitled to $18.93 hourly rate.
If in case the employee has been underpaid, he/she can either bring it to the notice of his/her employer or lodge a complaint with FWO to fix the problem.
Visit for more details.
People with a workplace concern can also call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
