Farm workers tell horror stories
BACKPACKERS told of bed-bug-ridden hostels and fears for their workplace safety at a packed meeting to address concerns about the region's farming industry.
Bundaberg
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BACKPACKERS told of bed-bug-ridden hostels and fears for their workplace safety at a packed meeting to address concerns about the region's farming industry.
Queensland Workplace Rights Ombudsman Don Brown said he was not surprised to hear some of the horror stories from workers, both local and foreign.
“One of the things that concerned me most was backpackers staying at what we thought were legitimate hostels, sleeping with bed bugs,” Mr Brown said.
“Another concern was workers being charged $40 if they got sick during the day and had to be taken back to their accommodation when they already pay to get on the bus.”
Mr Brown said almost none of the foreign workers were aware of superannuation.
“There were a lot of complaints about wages and the way they were treated at hostels and the safety on farms,” he said.
The ombudsman said more than 150 workers showed up for the Wednesday night meeting and many stayed to speak with workplace health and safety officers and the federal workplace ombudsman to file complaints and have questions answered.
About 50 farmers attended a separate meeting yesterday morning, where many of them pointed the finger at contractors as the source of most problems.
“I have a lot of sympathy for the farmers because the amount of administrative work they do is quite steep,” Mr Brown said.
The ombudsman also met with contractors yesterday and said he was surprised about 40 showed up.
“It was a fairly frank exchange,” he said.
“They said there is a lot of pressure on them from growers continually seeking the lowest prices.”
Mr Brown said the absent contractors were the ones he was concerned about.
“Those that took the time to come to the meeting aren't the problem,” he said.
Originally published as Farm workers tell horror stories
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