Underpaid Foreign Workers in Australia: The impact of long hours shifts on occupational health and safety

Abstract

This paper reviews current literature and reporting in relation to vulnerable visa holders, revealing underpayment and poor working conditions in a number of industries and concentrated among international student workers. The authors note the current focus in much of the literature and reporting is on improving the enforcement of rights in relation to hours of work, payment of wages and rights to termination payments. The paper noted an area of reform not yet fully developed, namely the enforcement of rights in relation to occupational health and safety and workers compensation entitlements for visa holders. This paper considers these areas and makes some proposals for reform.