The Australian state of Victoria has established a new law to crack down on the neglect and exploitation of seasonal workers, most of whom are Pacific Islanders working under Australia’s Seasonal Worker Program. The law establishes the “Labour Hire Licensing Authority”, a body to monitor and punish hiring operators who neglect labourers. The bill was passed on Wednesday 13 December.

The new law follows an official inquiry launched by the Victoria Government in 2015. The inquiry studied the deaths of Pacific Islander seasonal labourers working under Australia’s Seasonal Worker Program including the recent death of a 22-year-old Tongan man named Sione Vakameilalo Fifita. According to the local reports, Sione (Vaka) Fifita was seriously ill two weeks before he died but did not receive medical attention until it was too late. ­

The Bill stated “The Inquiry found significant evidence of exploitation of workers in the labour hire industry, and led to a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a labour hire licensing scheme in Victoria.” 

The new law will enforce new regulations requiring hire providers to obtain a license from the established Labour Hire Licensing Authority. In order to obtain these licenses, the hire providers will be required to meet accommodation standards and show compliance with workplace and labour hire laws. The licensing authority will also investigate and punish operators who do not comply, with offenders liable for up to two years’ imprisonment.

According to Australia’s Weekly Times and Courier Mail, 12 Pacific Islander seasonal labourers have died in Australia since 2011, most of whom lived in sub-standard conditions. The deaths include five Tongan men, four of whom are Paulo Kivalu (40), Sione Vakameilalo Fifita (22), Uikilifi Fa and Vaea Mahina (45).

According to Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection, there were 2,624 Tongans working under the Seasonal Worker Program from 2015 to 2016. According to the Department, Tonga is the largest source of labourers under the Seasonal Worker Program.