Labour hire company under investigation, accused of ripping off workers at Qld abattoir

Extract from ABC News

By Josh Bavas

Posted 34 minutes ago

Photo: The Taiwanese workers were supplied to the Greenmountain Food Processing plant at Coominya. (ABC News: Josh Bavas)

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A labour hire company has been accused of ripping off workers at a south-east Queensland abattoir, with unions concerned others in the industry may also be at risk.

The allegations have sparked an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman and come amid a crackdown on labour hire companies by the State Government.
The Taiwanese workers were supplied to the Greenmountain Food Processing plant at Coominya, west of Brisbane, by labour hire company GOYX Pty Ltd, while they were in Australia on working holiday visas.
Two have formally complained to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and claimed to have been underpaid in wages and superannuation as well as being asked to register an ABN, which could technically make them a contractor.

Photo: Marcus had concerns about his pay, but did not immediately speak up. (ABC News: Josh Bavas)

One of the workers — known as Marcus — was stationed in the abattoir's skinning room and told ABC News he had concerns about his pay, but did not immediately speak up.
"It felt a bit weird, but I still got money every week," he said through a translator.

"There are a lot of people in the same situation as us, but not everyone is brave enough to stand up."

Greenmountain Group employs about 300 workers altogether, but the Meat Industry Employees Union said dozens were working under temporary visas.
After ABC News made enquiries, Greenmountain managing director David Scarrabelotti said the company had since cut ties with the labour hire company.
"Greenmountain takes the investigation seriously and will assist FWO in the exercise of its statutory powers," he said.
"Greenmountain no longer engages GOYX.
"The investigation does not pertain to any workers currently on site or working with Greenmountain."

Photo: Greenmountain said it has since cut ties with the labour hire company. (ABC News: Josh Bavas)

Another worker who did not want to be named said she did not raise concerns about her pay and conditions out of fear of losing her job.
"We never complained because we were afraid to be fired," she said through a translator.
"The meat is really heavy so if I worked all day long over there and processed the heavy things, it was really hard.
"All nationalities should be treated the same and shouldn't be put down … because we work in the same company and area as the Australians."
A third worker known as Lesley is in the process of also lodging a separate complaint.
She left earlier this year after allegedly being bullied, including one incident when she was called a "slut" by another staff member.

Photo: Lesley is also in the process of lodging a separate complaint. (ABC News: Josh Bavas)

"I think many people are afraid to tell the truth because they know they will probably lose their job and it's hard for us, especially the people with poor English," she said.

"I was frustrated - I cried every night."

Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union branch secretary Matthew Journeaux said the allegations were "deeply concerning".
"These people were over here on holiday visas to enjoy the cultural experiences of a different country and we expect them to be looked after," he said.
"These people need to be protected and they need to be paid and looked after accordingly."
New laws came into effect in Queensland earlier this year to regulate labour hire companies, forcing them to be licensed.
A new website has been launched by the State Government which shows licensed companies, but the company in question — which is registered in Sydney — is not yet on the list.
Ros McLennan from the Queensland Council of Unions said she had concerns for other workers across the industry.
"We can't turn the clock back on working rights in this country 100 years by having two classes of workers — those that are directly employed and get fair wages, paid leave, superannuation workers compensation and the like — and on the other hand have workers that have got no security," Ms McLennan said.
"This is big business and if we don't crack down … it's a very slippery slope."
While the workers are not union members, the Meat Industry Employees Union has assisted them to lodge their complaints.
GOYX has been contacted for comment.