Migrant workers reporting employer exploitation should receive a legislated guarantee they will not have their visas cancelled, unions and migrant rights activists have told the Australian government. The Australian (paywall) reports that an alliance of unions, lawyers and migrant rights groups are calling for an ‘exploited worker guarantee’ and want a specific ‘workplace justice visa’ to protect against deportation while migrants seek advice and pursue action against exploitative employers.

Unions New South Wales secretary Mark Morey said temporary migrants who wanted to speak up about and escape exploitation did so at the risk of being kicked out of the country. “This is because the employer can retaliate by anonymously telling the Department of Home Affairs that the worker is in breach of their visa,” he said. “This exploitative power imbalance damages Australia’s migration system and international reputation. It also lets dodgy companies get away with continuing to bring in new workers to exploit.”

The government is implementing measures to ­tackle migrant worker exploitation and has been consulting with unions and business about whistleblower protections for temporary visa holders as well as strengthening the firewall ­between the Fair Work ­Ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs. Earlier this year, the government announced landmark reforms aim to crack down on employers who exploit migrant workers.