Thanks, Peter, for a Job Well Done

Fr Peter O’Neill ssc led ACRATH’s work on forced labour/labour exploitation since January 2019 when he became ACRATH’s representative on the Australian Government’s Seasonal Workers Programme Advisory Committee. He became a member of ACRATH in 2017 when he returned to Australia after ministering in Taiwan for 26 years.

Peter was recently elected as the new Columban Society Vicar for six years. As the Society Vicar Peter is a member of the Columban General Council based in Hong Kong.  He has taken up his new role but, in this Q&A he reflects on the issues facing seasonal workers in Australia.

1.  Is there likely to be any intersection between your new role and modern slavery?

At our Columban General Assembly in Lima, we decided that one of our two priority ministries for the next six years is to continue our ministry with migrants and refugees including trafficked persons. Ministering to people on the move has been one of our Columban priority ministries since the year 2000. Together with the other General Council members I will oversee our Columban global ministry with migrants and refugees including trafficked persons.

2. Forced and exploited labour is still to gain traction as a big issue in the Australian community, but how does it compare with a decade ago?

Forced and exploited labour is still a huge problem in the Australian community. This has been documented in research papers published by Anti-Slavery Australia and some university research centres. Victims of forced and exploited labour with the assistance of unions and faith-based organisations have had the courage to speak out against this exploitation. Therefore, more cases of abuse have been reported by the media.

3. You have been part of systemic change in this space – what do you consider are a couple of the really important changes that have made seasonal workers coming to Australia better off.

The new Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme Approved Employers Deed and Guidelines published in June 2023 better protect the rights of seasonal workers. I prepared ACRATH’s three submissions into the process of reviewing the Deed and Guidelines. Since 1 July 2024, seasonal workers are to receive a minimum of 30 hours of work per week averaged over four weeks. Previously it was an average of 30 hours of work per week over the seasonal worker’s contract period which is a maximum of nine months. This was easily abused by unscrupulous Approved Employers. I have met many seasonal workers who received very little work in their first three weeks in Australia. Seasonal workers must now receive at least 30 hours of work per week the moment they arrive in Australia. This will enable the seasonal workers to be better off because they will be able to earn more money to send home to their families.

Seasonal workers can now come to Australia on a four-year contract which gives them more stability and the opportunity to earn more money to support their families at home.

4. What’s an area you would like to see a greater focus on and why?

The government needs to ensure that the new approved PALM Scheme Approved Employers Deed and Guidelines are implemented, monitored and evaluated so as to better protect the human rights of seasonal workers and prevent labour exploitation. Approved Employers who steal workers’ salaries through non-payment of salaries must be investigated, prosecuted and sentenced according to the law. The government and courts need to be more diligent in ensuring this is done.

Many seasonal workers have not claimed their superannuation because they do not know how to file a claim. Also, they cannot file a claim until their visa has expired. Seasonal workers are returning to Australia on a second, third and fourth secondment while their visa is still valid. The government needs to change this practice so that seasonal workers can apply for their superannuation either before or soon after their return to their home country.

Within the context of the Catholic church, local bishops, parish priests and laity need to implement a well organised structure to make an outreach to the seasonal workers and welcome them into the local faith communities.

5. What have you learned in the years of working with seasonal workers and others in this space?

I have learned the importance of educating seasonal workers about their rights and empowering them to stand up collectively against any form of abuse. Advocating for policy change to better protect the rights of seasonal workers requires hard work, patience and perseverance. You need to commit yourself in collaboration with others to be in it for the long haul.

6. What is one thing Australians could do to ensure seasonal workers are welcomed to this country and treated justly?

Australians need to reach out to the seasonal workers and educate themselves on who picks their fruit and vegetables and to speak out strongly against any abuse they see towards seasonal workers. They need to show appreciation and gratitude for everything the seasonal workers offer to the building up of our local economy and the richness of their own cultures and faith which they share with our communities.