Migrant workers in Australia, particularly those under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, are confronting severe challenges, including fear of deportation when seeking medical treatment for serious injuries, according to testimonies presented at a parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery in Sydney.

Lawyer Joshua Strutt, from the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, emphasized the vulnerability of PALM visa holders, citing strict visa conditions that prevent them from changing employers, making them some of the most exploited temporary visa holders in Australia.

The PALM scheme allows Australian businesses to recruit workers from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, primarily for roles in agriculture and meat processing.

During the inquiry, it was revealed that workers who had suffered significant injuries, such as losing limbs or becoming blinded in workplace accidents, are often reluctant to seek medical assistance due to fears of deportation.

Strutt highlighted a critical power imbalance within the system that necessitates reform.

The inquiry is probing the prevalence of forced labor, wage violations, labor trafficking, and other forms of exploitation in rural areas.

Woolworths, one of Australia’s leading supermarket chains, confirmed the presence of unacceptable housing conditions for migrant workers in its Queensland supply chain.

Rachel Elliott, Woolworths’ human rights general manager, stated that a site inspection revealed living conditions that were 'appalling and unliveable'.

The labor hire company responsible for these conditions has since been barred from migrant worker schemes.

However, reports indicate that the company continues to seek opportunities to operate in other states.

Woolworths regularly conducts around 1,000 audits within its supply chain annually, uncovering about 5,000 instances of non-compliance related to safety regulations and wage discrepancies.

Underpayments have frequently been attributed to labor hire companies not passing on due entitlements to employees.

Following audits in New South Wales, Woolworths has facilitated repayments totaling $50,000 in the meat sector and $48,000 in horticulture over the past two years.

Testimonies of overcrowded living arrangements have emerged, with reports detailing situations where up to 10 workers share a single house, each paying $170 for accommodation.

Australian Workers' Union representative Jonathan Cook described these conditions as clear exploitation of farm workers.

An independent survey conducted by the Australian National University and the World Bank noted that an overwhelming 98 percent of PALM workers would recommend the scheme to others.

Yet, Bernard Govind, an industrial officer with the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, underscored that workers often lack the power to express their grievances regarding poor conditions, citing a pervasive fear of retaliation, including visa cancellation and deportation.