Latest news with #modernSlavery
ABC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Women choosing abortions to keep work visas, slavery inquiry told
An obstetrician has told a parliamentary inquiry that hundreds of migrant women seek abortions with her each year to avoid breaching their visa conditions. Dr Trudi Beck, a GP based in NSW Riverina city of Wagga Wagga, told the inquiry an "unseen population" of migrant women was seeking abortions they would not normally want. "We're providing services to 500 to 600 pregnant women per year," Dr Beck said. The NSW inquiry into the risk of slavery for temporary migrant workers held its first regional hearing in Griffith on Thursday. The inquiry is investigating the experiences of migrant workers in agriculture, horticulture and meat processing sectors in rural and regional NSW. Dr Beck said that the women's stories were "basically the same" every time. "They know that they will breach their visa requirements to be able to work, either because they're in a physical job, in the kinds of positions that they often are working," she said. One area of focus of the inquiry is the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, which aims to fill labour gaps by recruiting workers from nine Pacific islands and Timor-Leste. Dr Beck said the unwanted abortion situation amounted to a form of modern slavery for the women. "If this woman were in her home country and had the means to live above the poverty line, she would have this baby," Dr Beck told the hearing. Dr Beck said she had personally approached employers with a large number of PALM workers, asking for their assistance in educating and providing reproductive healthcare for women. The hearing was also told about some of the substandard living conditions migrant workers faced. Paul Maytom, a former mayor of Leeton Shire Council and the chair of Leeton Multicultural Support Group, described some of the living arrangements he had witnessed. "I have seen situations with people camped in backyards, or with a few bricks and a bit of iron at the top and a fire going to boil water, he said. Mr Maytom said migrants who were not used to the living standard most Australians considered adequate may consider these living conditions "acceptable", but reporting substandard living arrangements could leave people homeless. "Any accommodation is better than no accommodation," he said. The need for better regulation of labour hire companies has been a theme in submissions from groups such as Berries Australia and the Fresh Produce Alliance, as well as legal services representing workers, academics, and the NSW and Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioners. The Albanese government committed to establishing a national labour hire licensing framework in 2023. However, despite initial support from the states and territories, an agreement on the regulation hasn't been reached. Berries Australia stated in a written submission that, while it would prefer a national scheme, New South Wales needed to act to curtail the activities of "dodgy labour hire companies". "NSW has become an attractive destination for dodgy labour hire companies who are often linked to organised crime," the submission said.. "We are also aware of allegations that a small percentage of growers who work with these labour hire firms deliberately underpay their workers. "We are keen to see this practice stamped out as it damages the reputation of the industry and distorts pricing." Committee chairperson, Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr, said he had written to Attorney-General Michael Davey asking for the government to regulate the labour hire sector to prevent worker exploitation. "The evidence we've received is that shonky operators have left Queensland and Victoria and are operating in NSW," he said. "We don't think this can wait until we finish the inquiry at the end of this year."
SBS Australia
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
SBS News in Filipino, Saturday 14 June 2025
A New South Wales inquiry has found more than 40,000 people, mainly migrant workers, are trapped in modern slavery. State and federal health ministers have agreed to a rapid review of I-V-F clinic rules. Filipino director Lav Diaz's Cannes film on Ferdinand Magellan screens at the Sydney film festival. SBS Filipino 14/06/2025 05:51 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Headlines: New Gromit sculpture trail characters revealed
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Bristol Live has spoken to readers who say there is a "foul stench" in Castle bus shelters have received a modern facelift with digital screens providing up-to-date information, the Swindon Advertiser Punchline reports on a new initiative in Gloucestershire launched to crackdown on modern slavery. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media New characters in the upcoming Gromit Unleashed sculpture trail in Bristol have been released, including what they'll look like.A lot of people in Bath are chatting about preparations for the Robbie Williams gig in Royal Crescent on Friday and Longleat has released a video of some of the sounds heard from nature during sunrise.
ABC News
03-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Breakfast Wrap: Shock as Greens Senator defects to Labor
The post-election rollercoaster ride continues with the defection of Greens Senator Dorinda Cox to the Labor party. Today on the Breakfast Wrap podcast, hear from the Greens party leader Larissa Waters. We also hear from the Labor front bench. A landmark new study finds that Australian men who have a healthy relationship with their father are significantly less likely to commit violence against a partner in later life. The Minister with oversight of the report is Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek. And a New South Wales inquiry into modern slavery has heard of migrant workers living in overcrowded and "unliveable" accommodation and being too afraid of deportation to seek medical care after suffering an injury. It comes as research from the Australian National University uncovered shocking accounts of workers employed on temporary visas hiding pregnancies, attempting home terminations, or spending thousands of dollars to access abortions. Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Sea shanty band caught in slavery probe as six members are arrested while group's leader 'goes on the run' after minibus crash
A West Country sea shanty band who have played Glastonbury is today at the centre of a modern slavery investigation after their minibus crashed on the edge of Dartmoor. Six members of The Old Time Sailors have been arrested by Devon and Cornwall Police and there are reports that the band's leader is on the run and being sought by detectives. Officers were called to Dolvin Road in Tavistock at 7.30am on Monday, May 19 and revealed the following day that they believed some people in the van may have been possible victims of exploitation. The band, which has around 20 members, were apparently travelling back from a gig in Liverpool the night before when their bus came off the road into some trees. No injuries were reported. There was then a raid on a caravan park linked to the band in nearby Gulworthy where eight potential victims of modern slavery were found. These are now being 'safeguarded', police have said, adding that six men were arrested on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences and later bailed. The Old Time Sailors, whose wild shanties include Galway Girl and The Wild Rover, are accused of barely paying some of its musicians, despite playing huge venues around the UK. Fans are encouraged to dress like pirates and dance like drunken sailors. But the band have hit back, insisting they are a 'family' and 'share' all their costs, calling the accusations false and 'ruinous'. Devon and Cornwall Police, Sergeant Tom Ottley said: 'As part of our response to the initial incident, we identified several of the occupants of the van as being potential victims of exploitation offences. They are receiving specialist support and being safeguarded at this time. 'Shortly after, officers carried out a search at an address in the Gulworthy area which led to the identification of further potential victims. We worked alongside the local authority and partner agencies yesterday in safeguarding these individuals and their support was very much appreciated. 'As part of this investigation, we have arrested six males on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. We appreciate the activity may have caused some confusion and concern amongst the local community.' The six arrested were later bailed. The Sun claims that musicians working for the band were being kept in a farmhouse in east Devon and earning little or no wages. Yesterday police said: 'The six individuals who were arrested have all been bailed. The identified victims are being supported by specially trained officers and are receiving multi-agency support. Enquiries are ongoing.' The band have issued a statement on Facebook branding it 'scandalous accusations, speculation and fabrications about Old Time Sailors' - but did not mention the police investigation. They are on the bill at Camp Bestival festival and have gigs planned in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol this summer - but concerts in Newquay this week have been cancelled. 'We are aware of a number of articles currently online and categorically state that none of what is being said is the actual truth. It is what might sadly get acknowledged these days as an online hate campaign', they said. 'At no point has any of the information been even slightly fact checked. Fake websites and anonymous social media posts are supposedly telling the truth …but it's an elaborate web of hate. It is dangerous and highly illegal. 'The true facts are Old Time Sailors are a collective of musicians who tour as a family. Yes it's true, we live and travel collectively. We share our costs and overheads. We just have a love of music and performing. The Old Time Sailors have hit back on Facebook, insisting they are a 'family' and 'share' all their costs, calling the accusations false and 'ruinous'. 'Why is this happening? We have been asking the same question. The sad fact is a certain crew member parted ways with the band, and following this we received a very threatening email indicating what could be made to happen if we did not do certain things. But we didn't respond, and then suddenly it happened. Accusations, lies, horror stories and ruinous allegations. 'We still choose to focus on performing - living the free life we chose, and making connections with local communities. We teach and learn new music as we go along and have fun while we travel around. It is what we are all about. 'We all know it's never right to make assumptions about anyone's situation, or glean so called 'facts' from anonymous social media posts. 'We will instead focus on what we have put all our efforts into; the music and performing. We love our fans so thank you for all the support and we hope to see you at a show soon.'
