"AFP warns domestic and overseas workers of forced labour indicators amid rising reports,"

The AFP is urging domestic and overseas workers seeking employment in Australia to be aware of forced labour and exploitation indicators, with reports of the crime increasing almost 50 per cent in the past five years.

Since 2018-19, the AFP has received 178 reports relating to forced labour and exploitation – crimes that are forms of human trafficking...

Australia is a migration corridor for temporary workers, especially from the Asia-Pacific region.

AFP Commander Helen Schneider said unfortunately migrant workers had been vulnerable to exploitation due to factors such as visa status, limited understanding of Australian worker rights, cultural barriers and social isolation.

"Criminals may use deceptive methods to target vulnerable individuals looking for seasonal or temporary work in Australia before exploiting them into forced labour," Commander Schneider said.

"In a recent investigation, the AFP charged a man who is alleged tohave recruited workers via online job advertisements and threatened to have them deported to prevent them from seeking help."...

Commander Schneider said individuals hired for seasonal or temporary work in the agriculture, construction, hospitality and manufacturing sectors were most at risk of forced labour and exploitation.

"Seasonal work in Australia includes a range of legitimate jobs such as deckhands, fruit pickers and packers, farmhands, laborers, and vineyard workers," Cmdr Schneider said...

"As demand for seasonal and casual workers increases during the warmer months, we urge individuals to be aware of the indicators of forced labour and ask their employers to provide appropriate documentation and contracts before accepting job offers."...