Farm worker exploitation back on agenda with NFF to contest pieceworker ‘floor’

As farmers struggle to find workers to pick their crop, pressure is mounting on the industry to resolve longstanding exploitation issues, while MPs unite behind an amnesty push.

Pieceworkers should be paid a minimum wage equal to that of a casual farm worker, the Australian Workers Union argues. File picture: Andy Rogers

THE Australian Workers’ Union has until Friday to lodge evidence in support of its push to “close a loophole” in the Horticulture Award so that pieceworkers are paid a minimum wage equal to that of a casual farm worker.

The union has been joined by the United Workers Union in its application to the Fair Work Commission to amend the Award so that every fruit and vegetable picker is guaranteed at least $24.80 an hour, the minimum pay rate for a casual farm worker.

The National Farmers’ Federation has vowed to contest their push for a “floor” on the current pieceworker arrangement, arguing it was fundamental to the industry.

The NFF’s workplace relations and legal affairs general manager Ben Rogers said if amended, the wage bill of almost half the industry would see a substantial increase that couldn’t be passed on to retailers and consumers.

“Given that wages make up about 80 per cent of costs, it would call into question their future. Many farms would transition to other crops or reduce plantings, many others would go out of business,” he said.

Farm worker exploitation is firmly back on the national agenda, with the AWU, the Transport Workers’ Union and the Allied Employees’ Association forming an alliance to call for a Royal Commission into the horticulture sector last week to “clean up” the industry after what they say is years of talk and little action.

“After a slew of investigations, inquiries and media exposes over a decade, we know for a

fact that worker exploitation, worker abuse, and even modern slavery is rife on Australian

farms,” AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said.

University of Adelaide academic Joanna Howe said numerous investigations into worker exploitation showed there were significant problems within the horticulture sector, from age theft to the application of piece rates and sexual exploitation.

She said a Royal Commission would provide an opportunity to look into these issues in greater depth.

“My concern is without further pressure on the industry, we’re in limbo land where industry acknowledges the problem but it’s difficult to see the steps they’re taking to address the red flags,” Dr Howe said.

Meanwhile a growing list of Nationals MPs have thrown their support behind an amnesty for illegal farm workers. The MPs include Anne Webster, Pat Conaghan, Sam McMahon and Damian Drum.

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