By Mitchell Clarke
A Kooweerup farmer has been committed to stand trial following the investigation into allegations he was running an illegal foreign labour ring.
In December 2016, the Gazette reported that more than 60 foreign workers, believed to be from Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand were allegedly detected working at Vizzarri Farms during a mass raid carried out by the Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
It’s understood the ABF investigation also located more than $400,000 in cash at the property.
In a statement provided to the Gazette through the Federal Government, the ABF said it was aware of the case however couldn’t provide specific comment as it was still before the court.
“The Australian Border Force continues to work collaboratively with whole-of-government partners to combat serious organised crime networks seeking to exploit vulnerable foreign workers and Australia’s migration system for financial gain,” the statement said.
“Migrant worker exploitation may include illegal work practices, wage theft, threatening or unethical behaviour, slavery or forced labour.”
The ABF added that foreign worker exploitation by Labour Hire Intermediaries (LHIs) was a “systemic issue”, particularly within cash-driven industries such as agriculture, construction, security and services, where levels of regulation can vary between states and territories.
Giuseppe Vizzarri and his company M&G Vizzarri Pty Ltd face more than 100 charges after allegedly breaching the Migration Act.
Assistant Customs Minister Jason Wood condemned “in the strongest terms” any use of “modern slavery” and unlawful exploitation of workers in Australian business supply chains.
“Any Australian businesses that are found to use modern slavery in their supply chains should rightly expect to be called out by the government, civil society groups and the wider Australian media,” Mr Wood said.
“It’s a crime, it’s as simple as that, we’re treating modern slavery as a crime against the person.
“Australians rightly expect businesses in our country to abide by the highest possible labour standards and the Modern Slavery Act is an excellent first step in ensuring slavery-like practices are stamped out.”
Migrant workers in Australia are subject to the same workplace laws, entitlements and protections as Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Mr Vizzarri appeared before the County Court for an initial directions hearing on Friday 28 February and the matter has been adjourned until 12 May.
