One thing leads to another- Part 2 - Back Packer's Rights - Being Part of a Church concerned for Social Justice

After our experiences getting to know backpackers in town and running Conversation Groups as part of a wider Uniting Church concerned for social justice, and also hoping to be good hosts to visitors in our country, Hillston -Gunbar Church Council recently asked the Rural Chaplains to find out more about the conditions and rights of backpackers visiting Australia. A report was prepared by Sue for Church council to be tabled in July - August.

The results were enlightening. Sue found that "backpackers are entitled to the same minimum standards as any other employee, including basic rights and protections due to all workers in Australia, correct pay rates for their classification, superannuation, overtime and penalty rates. It is important they are employed correctly, as Fair Work Australia DO prosecute and people who do not follow the rules give the agricultural industry, and Australia, a bad name."

Often backpackers in Australia are taken advantage of by employers because they are young and inexperienced and in a strange country where they do not know their rights. Often they really need the money or the rural work to extend their stay so they accept less then ideal pay or conditions.

Often too, a caring contractor,employer and community can make the stay of a backpacker an experience they will always remember fondly.

If we have the attitude of treating back packers here as we would like our own children treated overseas - we can't go wrong.

Why wouldn't you want to treat these lovely young people well and give them the time of their life?

Sites to look for :-
For employers 
For information on legal working conditions in Australia - call 13 13 94 –Fair Work Info line or contact - www.fairwork.gov.au

For more information on the NES, please see the Fair Work Ombudsman Fact Sheet – Introduction to the NES.

 For employees
Have the correct visa for the work you want to do and the time you want to stay in Australia. Call 13 18 81 – or contact www.immi.gov.au – Dept. of Immigration and Border Protection

Know your rights at work in Australia - For more information - call 13 13 94 –Fair Work Info line or contact - www.fairwork.gov.au - Foreign workers – Know your workplace rights!

If you need language help- Call 13 14 50 - Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) Say the name of your language and you will get a person who speaks your language to help you.

Information collated from – Australian Govt. – Fairwork Ombudsman website, SMH article – “Fruit pickers should know work rights: ombudsman” and  Dairy Australia - www.thepeopleindairy.org.au.

 This last site is well worth a look; with tips for employers on how to best provide for workers in their industry. It shows impressive concern and consideration  for overseas employees. 

Well done to The People in Dairy!