Backpackers encouraged by the Fair Work Ombudsman to check their rights after complaints

BACKPACKERS are encouraged to check their rights after further complaints of mistreatment and exploitation.

Joey Folkersma, 27 from Holland (left) and Tobias Wichelmy, 24, Germany have just landed in Australia and are looking to work immediately but are first reading about the Fairwork.

BACKPACKERS are encouraged to check their rights after further complaints of mistreatment and exploitation.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has received more complaints about backpackers being lured to regional centres by labour-hire operators allegedly treating them poorly, bullying and sexually harassing them and ripping them off to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

Reports have surfaced against an operator who allegedly charges backpackers $450 to find them jobs, and then pays them as little as 60¢ an hour to work on local farms.

READ: SHOCK TO SEE BACKPACKERS PLUCKING BIKINI LINE

The operator reportedly charges up to $150 a week for backpackers to stay in substandard houses and caravans, with allegations of up to 32 people in one home and 12 more sleeping in the garage.

Joey Folkersma, 27, of Holland, signed up to the Job Shack in search of some work – preferably in fishing.

“I’ve heard a few stories about dodgy employers,” he said. “I’ll have to look out for it.”

Job Shack’s Sergio Spagnyoli said most of the horror stories came from the southern states but there were cases in the Territory. “Sometimes they don’t get paid at all,” he said.

The most common issue encountered by the ombudsman is in relation to rates of pay or piecework agreements.