Workers on run after farm raid
THREE farms and private homes across the Atherton Tableland were raided yesterday in a crackdown on illegal workers.
epartment of Immigration and the Mareeba Stock Squad, 13 people suspected of working illegally were caught in the sweep of the Mutchilba/Dimbulah area.
Another three workers are on the run after dodging immigration officials at Mutchilba Mango and Lime farm Brytstar owned by Bruce Nastasi.
The 13 Malaysian nationals, eight men and five women, caught will be transported to the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation Centre while they await deportation.
Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans said nine were unlawful non-citizens and four had working visas cancelled for breaking work conditions.
He said the operation was based on information from the community.
Mr Nastasi told The Weekend Post Kenny (there is no last name) from Liew Shu Choon Contractors, who secured a number of workers for his property, approached the farm in December 2007, had made assurances all the workers had visas.
He said each Friday Kenny would come to the property and collect the workers’ wages, who were paid $16 an hour plus super, and he received a 10 per cent commission for securing the labour.
"I had been given legal advice that I had no right to intrude on their privacy and demand to see their visas if they had come through an employment agency," he said.
Mr Nastasi said majority of his work had force was legal. Mr Nastasi, who was concerned about the welfare of the workers on the run, said all had worked hard and used their wages to support the families back home.
"I feel really sorry for them," he said.
"They were very nice people and hard workers."
Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Association president Joe Moro said there were a number of "unknown contractors" approaching farms and urged growers to only use reputable agents.
Employers convicted of breaking immigration laws face fines of up to $13,200 and two years jail and companies face fines of up to $66,000 per illegal worker.
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Into the wild: A Brystar worker points to where three workers bolted yesterday.
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