One in six migrants are paid less than the minimum wage according to a new report by the Grattan Institute, which says governments have failed to stop exploitation of migrant workers with sexual harassment, bullying, and unsafe working conditions also rife. Underpayment is also a big problem for Australian workers. Grattan’s report estimates that between 3 per cent and 9 per cent of all employees are paid below the national minimum wage. But migrant workers are at higher risk of not being paid properly – 40 per cent more likely to be underpaid than long-term Australian residents. The report calls for an overhaul of visa rules, for workplace and migration laws to be strengthened and better enforcement to deter exploitation, and migrants to be given more help to reclaim lost wages.
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