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Today, farmers are celebrating National Ag Day. They’re quick to talk about what good they do but consistently ignore the bad and the ugly. Read some of the real facts below (a thread): (1/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
2. The agriculture and horticulture industry is rife with exploitation and abuse of vulnerable workers. https://www.awu.net.au/news/2020/08/12649/awu-says-the-horticulture-industry-thinks-it-is-above-the-law-and-must-be-pulled-into-line/ (2/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
Farmers rely on vulnerable migrant workers, paying them under minimum wage and at times for free, and forcing them to live in slave-like conditions. https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/key-farm-scheme-badly-exploited-migrant-workers-paid-8-an-hour-20180518-p4zg53.html (3/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
There has been a high number of sexual abuse reports from young women on the Working Holiday Visa Program. These are not isolated, one-off cases. It has to stop https://www.smh.com.au/national/sexual-assault-lost-fingers-exploitation-in-an-industry-rotten-to-the-core-20201009-p563m2.html (4/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
We’ve heard reports about workers not being provided with running water, being asked to work topless and not being paid properly. This has been happening for years and still is. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-17/rosie-ayliffe-uncovers-backpacker-farm-work-horror-stories/8687868 (5/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
These workers are easily targeted because their stay is dependent on dodgy labour hire companies to qualify for Visa extensions. Farmers often use this to their advantage to force workers to deal with poor conditions. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-14/seasonal-worker-program-under-scrutiny-after-70-people-in-house/11960818 (6/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
Farmers claim that Australian’s don’t want these jobs so they need to hire migrants, but the truth is, if they treated their workforce with respect, Australian’s would take the jobs gladly. https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/11/16/farm-work-australia-exploitation/ (7/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
One million Australian’s are out of work right now. We have an opportunity to creating meaningful, decent jobs for many if these farmers change their ways. https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-03-08/farm-labour-report-says-farmers-rely-on-illegal-labour/10881832 (8/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
We’ve launched a campaign to put a stop to this and reform farming industries and start treating workers with respect. Get on board here: https://www.awu.net.au/campaigns/scrap-the-88-day-working-holiday-visa-program/ (9/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
Do you have a bad experience while working on a farm? Let us know here: https://www.awu.net.au/contact-us/ (10/10) #AgDayAU #AgDay @OzFarmers
