Beware of bad seeds in the fruit-picking industry

Beware of bad seeds in the fruit-picking industry Beware of bad seeds in the fruit-picking industryPosted October 13, 2011, by Josie Chun Fruit-picking is the backpackers rite of passage. Its hard, sweaty work and is not highly paid, but under the right circumstances it can be a fun and quintessential parte of the Australian working holiday experience. Under the wrong circumstances, however, it can be a nightmare. Alarming reports have recently surfaced of dodgy operators who abuse their workers, deny them water and pay them a scant fraction of what they are owed. Cali and Max Posun are currently under investigation for their abuse and exploitation of backpackers recruited to work as fruit-pickers at a Queensland farm. The Posuns own and lease the Panda Motel in Childers, East Bundy Backpackers and two local contracting companies, but have now been sacked by the company which runs the farm, SP Exports. One 22-year-old German backpacker described working for Max Posun as being treat ed like a slave. He and other workers were yelled at and refused water after working for hours in the sweltering Queensland heat and were then promptly sacked for their audacity in begging for water. The Queensland industry is undergoing investigation by Queenslands Workplace Rights Ombudsman, as well as the federal Fair Work Ombudsman, who plan to prosecute operators who contravene conditions as set out in the Fair Work Act. But the Fair Work Ombudsman warns that backpackers themselves need to know and defend their own rights. Don Brown, the Queensland Ombudsman, also says that hostels have an obligation to warn fruit-pickers of their rights. Know your rights Workplace laws in Australia generally apply equally to all workers employed in Australia. Employers engaging foreign workers including seasonal foreign workers, international students and backpackers must ensure that they comply with both Australian workplace laws and immigration laws. Employers are required to pay employe es a kusine rate of pay that at least equals the national minimum wage ($14.31 an hour), and casual workers should receive a casual loading. Also, under the Fair Work Act, an employer cannot directly or indirectly require an employee to spend any part of wages payable to them if the requirement is unreasonable. Protect your rights The federal Ombudsman offers this advice for backpackers working in Australia Keep your own records of wages and hours worked Be aware of minimum entitlements, which must amount to at least $14.31 an hour, plus a loading for casual workers Insist on a payslip Know the business name and Australian Business Number (ABN) of your employer Ask for job offers and terms of employment in writingGraduate Certificate in International Tourism and bed and breakfast Mana...Study modeOn CampusPayment optionsFEE-HELPUpfront paymentCourse guide+ FREE eBrochureEnquire Online Enquire OnlineTourism ResourcesTour guide sample resumeTour guide sample cover letterCareer Insid er StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Marketing OfficerProject ManagerEvent CoordinatorSmall Business ManagerDepartment ManagerPopular Career Searchesresume format for freshers in travel industrycareers in tourism and travelcareer in traveltravel agent cover letter no experiencetravel and tourism cover letter examplesTourism CoursesDiploma of Hospitality ManagementEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Business in gasthof ManagementEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMaster of International Tourism and Hotel ManagementEnquire Online Enquire OnlineDiploma of Hotel ManagementEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJosie ChunRelated ArticlesBrowse moreInternational studentsWorking in AustraliaNicolas Roth - French working holiday makerI was tired of living in Luxembourg, sick of my job and I needed a break.JOB HUNTINGThe best job in the worldA huge salary package, a multi-million dollar beach house and a job description to have fun. Is this the best job in the world?Career inspoHospitalityCome fly with me careers that travelThere are plenty of jobs out there that will literally take you places. To mark World Tourist Day, we highlight some careers that can make you the ultimate professional world traveller.