The Australian government has appointed Chris Evans, former Labor minister and former chief executive of Walk Free’s Global Freedom Network, as the country’s first anti-slavery commissioner. Evans, whose five-year term begins in December, will be tasked with strengthening protections for vulnerable workers and addressing exploitative practices in sectors across Australia. Yet as Australia takes this step, its Modern Slavery Act is increasingly seen as outdated, with experts calling for reform to keep pace with global standards.

Temporary migrant workers unprotected in Australia

A recent report found that minority temporary migrant workers employed in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (Palm) scheme were at risk of modern slavery.

The Guardian reports,

“Temporary migrant workers, particularly low-wage workers in agriculture, horticulture and meat processing in rural NSW, face risks of debt bondage, deceptive recruiting, forced labour and, in extreme cases, servitude, sexual servitude or even human trafficking,” the report said.

Thousands of Palm workers have “disengaged” from the scheme, leaving exploitative workplaces, but because their visa and right to stay in Australia is tied to their particular employer, leaving the program means they are left without rights.

Advocates hope the newly created position means reform is on the horizon to address this and other pressing modern slavery issues.

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