Wage theft and other forms of exploitation are widespread and endemic in industries with large migrant worker populations in Australia. Most migrants who experience exploitation do not come forward because they fear they will jeopardise their visa in Australia.

Breaking the Silence proposes new whistleblower protections to enable migrant workers to address exploitation, including:

•  A protection against visa cancellation for exploited migrant workers who take action against their employer and have breached their work conditions;
• A short-term visa to allow exploited migrant workers to remain in Australia and pursue a claim against their employers, with visa security and the ability to work.