Compliance operation locates record number of illegal workers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/10/2014 - 01:00

Friday, 10 October 2014

A compliance operation undertaken in southern NSW has found the largest number of illegal workers in a single location this year, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon. Scott Morrison and Federal member for Riverina, Mr Michael McCormack said today.

Minister Morrison said that 37 illegal workers were located by Department of Immigration and Border Protection compliance officers at a citrus farm in Hillston, following a tip-off from the community.

'The location of these illegal workers reflects the government's commitment to stamp out unlawful work, and ongoing compliance efforts are a key part of this,' Minister Morrison said.

'Individuals working unlawfully not only risk having their visa cancelled and being detained and removed from Australia, but they do not receive the same protections as people working lawfully in the country.

'This compliance work is critical to maintaining the integrity of the visa programme, and I congratulate the Department on this significant operation,' Minister Morrison said.

Of the group, 35 people were found to be unlawful non-citizens, while two were working in breach of their visa conditions. The group included 36 Malaysian nationals and one Indonesian national, a total of eight women and 29 men. They will now be transferred to either the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre or the Adelaide Immigration Transit Accommodation.

Mr McCormack said although the overwhelming majority of people do the right thing, those who don't abide by their visa conditions undermine the visa system.

'Non-citizens found not to comply with Australia's immigration laws will be actively pursued through a range of measures such as location, detention and removal from Australia, or the enforcement of penalties and litigation, where necessary,' Mr McCormack said.

'Where evidence suggests employers are knowingly or recklessly allowing a person to work either illegally or in breach of their visa conditions, the case will be assessed to see whether there is sufficient evidence to impose an infringement or pursue a civil or criminal prosecution.'

People with information about illegal workers or visa overstayers can call 1800 009 623.

See: Index of Media Releases

URL:http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/sm/2014/sm218477.htm
Last update: Friday, 10 October 2014 at 17:03 AEST