Backpackers are being sexually harassed, underpaid and exploited by unscrupulous employers in regional Australia, the workplace regulator has found. The Fair Work Ombudsman report found that not only was it common for workers to be underpaid, but some were not paid their wages at all. The report calls for changes to visa rules and laws, and making governments and authorities work together to ensure backpackers are protected and aware of their rights. The ombudsman Natalie James issued a warning to employers, saying minimum pay rates in Australia were non-negotiable. “Those who turn a blind eye to exploitation face very real risks – legal risks and risks to reputation and impact on their bottom line,” she said.

Source: The Guardian October 15, 2016 00:23 UTC