Slavery in the Australian food industry: how complicit are we?

Did you watch ‘Slaving away’ on Four Corners on ABC1 last night (4/5/2015)? If you didn’t, you should.

It showed in stark reality the plight of migrant workers in the Australian agricultural, fresh and processed food industries. I was appalled and embarrassed.

How can this supposedly first-world country condone people being exploited to such an extent? The retail companies mentioned - Woolworths, ALDI, Coles, Costco, KFC - profess to adhere to the highest ethical standards but is their drive for lower prices the cause of this atrocity?

In some ways the answer is obviously yes but in other ways more information is needed.

Who are these ‘labour hire firms’? Why are they unknown? Why are there no regulations regarding either these firms or follow-up for those entering the country on 417 visas?

Are the processors/growers stipulating that the labour hire firms must pay all workers industry standard wages and adhere to all conditions relating to worker entitlements and conditions? If not, why not?

If these companies discover that the labour hire firms they are contracting are not meeting the required conditions, are they reporting this to the appropriate authorities, cancelling contracts, ensuring that workers are fairly paid, housed and safe?

Like everyone else I like a bargain, but not at the expense of people’s basic rights. I, and I am sure most others, am willing to pay more for food if it can be assured that “Australian made/grown” does not mean exploiting anyone.

SLAVING AWAY, reported by Caro Meldrum-Hanna and presented by Kerry O'Brien, went to air on Monday 4 May at 8.30 pm. It will be replayed on Tuesday 5 May at 10.00 am and Wednesday 6 May at midnight. It can also be seen on ABC News 24 on Saturday at 8.00 pm, on ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.