Keeping labour hire workers in mind this festive season
5 December 2024
For many, the end of the year means an opportunity to relax, unwind and reflect with friends and family, and the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy festive season.
This time of year is also a reminder of the role of labour hire workers in bringing the festive season alive throughout Victoria.
Across the summer months, many businesses in the hospitality and retail industries will engage labour hire workers as seasonal staff to cover the rush for last-minute shopping and family activities.
End-of-year gatherings at restaurants, pubs and other venues may be staffed with security guards, and kept clean by commercial cleaners – many of whom are likely to be labour hire workers.
And when families gather around the lunch or dinner table, sharing stories about the year just gone, the festive spread will come courtesy of labour hire workers in the horticulture and meat and poultry processing industries.
Each year, thousands of migrants travel to Victoria to work in labour hire to provide for their families back home – even if that means spending festive periods apart from them.
While their work may sometimes go unnoticed, labour hire workers deserve the same fair treatment as any other worker – no matter the time of year.
In 2024, LHA has undertaken education, compliance and enforcement activities to protect labour hire workers from exploitation:
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In January, LHA completed a communications campaign targeting workers in the horticulture industry, to raise awareness of their rights and how to report unlawful treatment by labour hire businesses. |
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In February, Honey Bunny Global Pty Ltd and its director were issued penalties totalling $264,352 for engaging unlicensed providers to source workers for farms in the Cobram area. |
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In March, a security business had its labour hire licence refused due to concerns about its workforce being engaged as independent contractors on ABN, rather than as employees. |
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In April, investigations continued into alleged non-compliance at a farm following an inspection by LHA and the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO). |
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In May, Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner Steve Dargavel hosted a webinar to over 150 recently licensed providers and new ABN holders in key labour hire industries. |
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In June, LHA delivered its first monthly Licensing Action Report in LHA News, to increase industry transparency and inform and assist businesses with compliance. |
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In July, LHA delivered a communications campaign – across digital, social media and press channels – targeting workers in the meat and poultry processing industries. |
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In August, LHA took legal action against a business for allegedly advertising labour hire services in Victoria without a licence. |
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In September, record penalties of $759,674 were issued to five construction companies and three company directors for their involvement in unlicensed labour hire operations in Victoria. |
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In October, LHA officers identified alleged non-compliance including underpayments of workers at a meat processing facility during a site visit. |
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In November, investigations continued into alleged illegal phoenix activity identified at farms in Koo Wee Rup during a coordinated multi-agency Day of Action. |
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In December, LHA’s work in licensing, compliance and industry engagement will continue to deliver outcomes to protect labour hire workers and improve industry integrity and transparency. |
Preparing for the festive season
As businesses employ extra staff and prepare for holiday shutdown periods, it is important to continue to comply with obligations. The Fair Work Ombudsman has a range of resources to help: