International Student Exploitation in the spotlight

Work exploitation of international students
The recent story on SBS on the exploitation of international students in the Vietnamese hospitality sector is unfortunately not a new story. It is distressing to read that the exploitation of vulnerable international students is a continued practice. The article does note importantly that it takes two parties for this practice to occur. Students are sometimes willing to accept poor working conditions because they are either ignorant of their rights or preferring to accept under-payment to unemployment.  ISANA reminds all members of the news in an earlier newsletter where we informed members of efforts by DIBP and the FWO to address work exploitation of international students. Here is the excerpt:

Temporary visa holder like international students with a work entitlement and who may have been exploited, need to be aware that DIBP will generally not cancel a visa, detain or remove individuals, provided they have reported their circumstance to the FWO.  Please make this information known to your international students. For more information, please refer to the media release from Minister for Employment, Sen. M Cash and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Hon P Dutton of 15 February 2017.

ISANA National President

Mary Ann Seow