Bosses ‘routinely exploit’ international students

Australian employers are routinely exploiting vulnerable international students too afraid to speak up and risk being fired.

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Australian employers are routinely exploiting vulnerable international students too afraid to speak up and risk being fired.

A study by the University of NSW and the University of Technology Sydney involving 5000 participants found a vast majority of international students were victims of wage theft, with three in four earning below the minimum casual wage.

The situation for many foreign students has been made more acute by the COVID-19 crisis, with many left with no source of income for living expenses.

“The shutdown has created a humanitarian crisis among international students and other migrant workers,” said Bassina Farbenblum, a UNSW researcher and study co-­director. “Many have been unable to pay their rent and have joined foodbank queues.”

Patrick Turner, a senior associate at law firm Maurice Blackburn, said the report paints a damning picture of “systemic wage theft” experienced by many migrant workers. “Too many employers knowingly exploit these workers believing they are unlikely to face any consequences.”