Ripped off underpaid worker now faces deportation as department refuses to intervene

A migrant cook underpaid by $90,000 by his boss now faces deportation for taking extra work to provide for his family during his ordeal. Authorities say his case isn’t worth intervention.

Indian migrant Rajesh Salaria is owed $90,000 in unpaid wages but could be thrown out of the country for his efforts to provide for his family. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

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A migrant cook who was underpaid almost $90,000 is facing deportation because he also worked as a taxi driver to supplement his income and provide for his family.

Indian national Rajesh Salaria came to Adelaide 12 years ago and studied a diploma of hospitality.

After his wife migrated in 2013 and they had a daughter a year later, Mr Salaria began work at a now defunct Indian restaurant in Murray Bridge.

However, the owner who sponsored his working visa paid Mr Salaria the equivalent of just $7 an hour, from which he was required to spend thousands for a lawyer, accountant and government fees.

As revealed by The Advertiser on Monday, the owner has been ordered to pay back almost $90,000.

The matter is also being investigated by the Australian Federal Police.

But Mr Salaria this month faces deportation after he was caught breaching his visa by driving a taxi to supplement his income.

“It was not my intention,” he said.

“My family was over here and that’s why I had to drive a taxi.”

As the state looks to boost its population through new migration programs, Mr Salaria is pleading with officials to allow him to stay and raise his Australian-born daughter — who started kindy this week — in Adelaide.

“Look Minister, what happened to me here, it’s not my fault,” Mr Salaria, 34, said.

Two submissions were made to the Ministerial Intervention Unit, the latest in January, for consideration. But Mr Salaria’s migration agent said “unfortunately the MIU felt it was not important enough to refer the matter to the Minister for Immigration”.

Mr Salaria’s bridging visa expires on February 21. A Home Affairs Department spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases.

Mr Salaria has called for the Government to screen employers before allowing them to sponsor migrants, and improved rights for visa holders.

“They need to inquire more about the employer … before they give them the right to sponsor someone,” he said.

“It has affected my life.”

Mr Salaria also fears he will never see the almost $90,000 owed to him after the owner missed the payment deadline.

The employment tribunal was today due to interview both parties. Mr Salaria said he needs the money to pay back debts to family and friends that built up while he was trying to feed his family and keep a roof over their heads.

“(Getting the money) would change my life,” he said.

An AFP spokesman said it did not investigate matters that solely relate to unpaid wages.

Originally published as Ripped off underpaid worker now faces deportation as department refuses to intervene