Backpackers RIPPED-OFF in Australia :Background Briefing

[Wei_in_AU]

Here is ABC Radio National's Background Briefing web page;
it shows today's program - Bitter Harvest:

. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/default.htm

(That page will change in a week or so; maybe listen to the program or - when it appears - read the words from that program, at same web page.)

"The National Farmers Federation says another 20,000 pickers are needed to harvest Australia's crops. Growers complain of fruit rotting on the ground.

Backpackers and others are heading to farms on the promise of abundant work, only to find:

- the promises [of jobs with good pay] are often empty and

- it costs them more in rent than they can earn."

Big labor-hire companies find people but charge too much rent for dirty accommodation; some have to pack & leave quickly, eg, when immigration inspectors are expected to check the crowded places, eg, looking for people without visas.

One woman died picking tomatoes (either from heat stroke or dehydration)

Another woman lost her job after a friend (local neighbor) dropped her off in his car, at the place she was staying. (Suggests that contact with locals is not permitted. Secret operation, due to unlawful conditions at hostel & low rates of pay.)

MILDURA, VICTORIA was mentioned in the some cases:

THIS IS A HOSTEL SAID TO PROMISE MUCH (work, money), but deliver LITTLE:

Borderline Hostel in Mildura (run by Vicki?) has a web site:

. http://www.BorderlineBackpackers.com/home.htm

PEOPLE WHO STAYED THERE SAID THEY DID NOT GET JOBS,
They had to pay rent, but had NO income, or just 1 day /week
working on farms, very low income; hardly worth the time.

Other related events that can affect jobs in Australia:

30,000 Tongans have come to Australia (legally) as new
guest workers; fewer jobs remain for other backpackers.

---

IF YOU KNOW OF SOME ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, OR ABUSE OF BACK
PACKERS, PLEASE POST DETAILS OF LOCATIONS (don't give your
name), and maybe use Google Earth to find location, and then show
the location on your post.

It's not got for Backpackers, and not good for Australia, when abuse
happens; let's STOP this abuse, for the good of all.



Wei_in_Australia
Member




Your answer

[Jamesonaroll]

Hi - I dont think this is very fair or a true indication of what fruit picking and farm work is like in australia. I've been working for over 6 months now in regional south australia victoria and queensland and ive had a brilliant time. its been hard work but thats what you sign up for isnt it?

Probably what is safest to say is to get all your farm work with a professional compajy. I got all of my work so far with travellers at work and they have been fantastic, helped me get everyhing sorted and ive had plenty of work.

James

[hannahwilldoit]

Hey James,

I went fruit picking through the guys at travellers at work too and I agree, they were brilliamt.

It really bothers me that this article was posted because in my experience in the past 4 months i have had a great time. I've worked really hard too, btu made and saved some good money.

Hannah

[poppysbigadventure]

Hi - i so know how you feel. It really annoys me when the media plays up stuff like this. I have no doubt that some people have had a bad experience working on some farms that dont go through a booking company but that is such the exception to the rule.

My best mate and I worked on farms for nearly 5 months and we had such a laugh doing it. It was totally hard work and dirty and a bit gross at times but who cares. Isnt that why you go travelling in the first place to experience parts of another country and do things you never do? Anyway we loved it and got our 12 month visa extension. So now we can relax in the places where we really want to be. We just had christmas and new year in byron bay!

I would say that if anyone is thinking of working on a farm or doing fruit picking just to ask around for others where they got their work from and use travellers at work. My friend and i got quite a few jobs through them and we were paid properly and they helped us sort out transport once when we needed help. Made it very easy.
Poppy

[hannahwilldoit]

The other thing is that I met some of the guys at travellers at work when i got to sydney on the Ultimate Oz package. I honestly think that starting your travels off like this is the best way to go. it sets everything up right from the start. no dodgy companies ripping backpackers off.

H
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