'Harrowing stories of mistreatment and harm' in modern slavery report

The report from a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in regional areas has been released. It calls for urgent changes to address concerns after "harrowing stories of mistreatment". What's next: The 188-page report contains 31 recommendations which will now be considered by the state government. A NSW parliamentary report into modern slavery has detailed "harrowing stories of mistreatment and harm". The 188-page document comes after an inquiry into 'Modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional NSW'. The report said the committee heard "many horrors". "The committee was shocked to hear the way survivors had been deceived and mistreated, often living in near uninhabitable conditions, forced to work demanding hours and threatened if they spoke up," the report stated. The committee made 31 recommendations, including urgently introducing a labour-hire licensing scheme and increasing enforcement powers for both police and SafeWork NSW. During the inquiry migrant workers gave evidence and outlined how those hired under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme faced exploitation and poor treatment by some employers. The report found their experiences "deviated so dramatically from the expectations these workers had of this country, of what life here could be like and how they would be treated, is a source of great shame". "What these migrant workers experienced is unacceptable and serves as a stark reminder that we must do better in how we engage with our migrant workforce." Focus on Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Valley The report asked the government to investigate allegations of systemic labour exploitation in Coffs Harbour and the Nambucca Valley. It said the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner informed the committee some berry pickers on the Coffs Coast were being "systematically exploited by a group of informal labour hire syndicates". "The committee was alarmed to hear that these labour hire operators may be engaging in coercive and threatening behaviour, to thwart attempts to report their conduct to relevant agencies," the report stated. That unscrupulous employers in this region have been able to operate largely undetected highlights the urgent need for labour hire reform. Other recommendations included adjusting visa settings to allow PALM workers to more easily change employers, and a review of the Working Holiday Maker Program. The committee found it was "clear from the significant evidence received during this inquiry that too many temporary migrant workers have experienced, or are at a serious risk of experiencing modern slavery, in NSW".