Owen: The Gentle Giant Enslaved in Forced Labour
Owen * is a towering 6ft 7, with his imposing stature, it’s hard to imagine anyone could exploit him. However, Owen was enslaved in forced labour in regional Australia for years.
Originally from a Pacific Island, Owen left his wife and children to join the PALM Scheme. Namely, a specific visa provided by the Australian Government. As a result, he looked forward to earning better wages to support his family. Unfortunately, his dreams quickly turned into a nightmare. As a temporary migrant worker on a remote farm, he was forced to work long gruelling hours. Also in unsafe, hazardous conditions and earning little to no pay. (Read below to see how these visas issued by our government to incentivise workers are falling short). Furthermore, along with several men from similar cultural backgrounds, Owen lived in deplorable conditions.
Eventually, they managed to reach the police, which was an incredible achievement considering the farm’s remoteness.
With the help of the Australian Federal Police, Owen and the other men were relocated to Sydney. They are now working with The Freedom Hub to rebuild their lives and realise the hopes they once had. As a result, Owen is focusing on improving his financial literacy and work-ready skills, with aspirations of working in either construction or the rail industry. Now he dreams of a future where he can provide the skills Australia needs and eventually bring his family here. If it doesn’t work out he will save enough money to return home.
*name changed to protect identity
How Does This Happen to Temporary Migrant Workers?
Here is an excerpt from “Be Our Guest” written by the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
‘New South Wales (NSW) benefits from the contributions of many different types of temporary migrant workers in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing,1 cleaning, hospitality, retail and tourism. Soon, these workers will also play an increasing role in aged care…..
Temporary migration is largely well-managed. It benefits workers, their communities of origin, businesses in rural and regional NSW, and the communities where workers live temporarily as guests. Yet there is an increasingly urgent need to address the situation of a minority of temporary migrant workers in NSW who are at risk of modern slavery. Temporary migrant workers, particularly low-wage workers in agriculture, horticulture and meat processing in rural NSW, face risks of debt bondage, deceptive recruiting, forced labour and, in extreme cases, servitude, sexual servitude or even human trafficking.
In this report, I describe the information I have received over the past two years that underpins this conclusion, including information regarding:
- working conditions, wages and entitlements;
- accommodation, transport and living conditions;
- gendered violence and healthcare access; and
- isolation and social marginalisation.
Disengaged and undocumented workers face heightened risks of modern slavery, particularly forced labour. There are thought to be several thousand disengaged PALM workers currently in Australia, with many likely to be in regional NSW. Read the full report here.
Importantly, you have the opportunity to help The Freedom Hub support Owen*, and others, by donating or (even better) setting up a monthly gift. HERE