Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) acknowledges the NSW Parliament’s Modern Slavery Committee report, Modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional New South Wales, tabled this month, and supports its recommendations, including the call for stronger legislation and licensing of labour hire agencies in NSW.
The Mid North Coast relies heavily on a migrant workforce across healthcare, agriculture and hospitality. A well-regulated labour hire sector, accompanied by strong enforcement powers, would lift the standard of entry to the market, protecting workers from exploitation while giving compliant employers, some of whom report being undercut by non-compliant operators, a level playing field.
RDAMNC will continue working with community, industry and government to support Mid North Coast’s workforce.
Read RDAMNC’s official media release HERE.
Helpful Resources
Modern slavery can be hard to recognise, even for the person experiencing it. If something feels wrong, help is available.
- Emergency: Triple Zero (000)
- 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 33 36): NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner’s hotline for victims and survivors
- Anti-Slavery Australia: 02 9514 8115 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) – free legal and migration advice
- Australian Red Cross STPP: 1800 113 015 – case management and support
- Fair Work Ombudsman: 13 13 94 – free, confidential advice on pay, entitlements and workplace rights; can also be contacted for an anonymous tip-off. Website: fairwork.gov.au
- Interpreter needed? Call 131 450 (free)