Work Ombudsman and Visa Holders

work: The Fair Work Ombudsman has released a report after a two-year investigation, where it surveyed 4,000 people who held 417 visas, according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation. These visa holders are required to complete 88 days paid work in regional areas to secure a second year. Map: Sydney 2000 Horticultural industry leaders say they are disappointed exploitation of working holiday makers is continuing to tarnish the reputation of their industry. The survey found 35 per cent were paid less than the minimum wage, while 28 per cent were not paid at all for some of the work. It found Taiwanese and South Korean workers the most vulnerable, given the language barrier. Rachel McKenzie, the chief advocate with Queensland peak horticulture group Growcom, said she supported the Ombudsman crackdown on dodgy labour hire companies. "When you hire someone to be a builder on your property, you have some comfort they're registered builder and you have that vetting process. "We don't have that comfort, and we have the issue of phoenixing evasion of tax and other entitlements such as employee entitlements . "Everyone says 'you know Fred Nerks Pty Ltd is dodgy, that company disappears and turns up as Bill Blogs Pty Ltd and they're equally dodgy and we have many cases where growers are paying the right money, but that is not getting to the workers." The Fair Work Ombudsman found Queensland was the worst offending state. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.