Migrant Workers Centre in Carlton, Victoria, Australia | Trade union

Migrant Workers Centre

Locality: Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9659 3516

Address: 54 Victoria St 3053 Carlton, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.migrantworkers.org.au

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25.01.2022 Not only were migrant workers locked out of government support last year, but we're now hearing from workers on temporary visas who had their JobKeeper applications approved but are now being asked by the ATO to pay back their JobKeeper income. Hassan, a Migrant Workers Centre organiser, spoke to the ABC today. Read his story here:

24.01.2022 The Migrant Workers Centre wishes everyone Happy Holidays! No matter how you celebrate - we hope you'll have a chance to rest and spend time with loved ones. We also recognise it's been a challenging year. Many of us are still separated from loved ones overseas, or feeling the impacts of job losses and the lack of government support over the past months. If you need help or just someone to talk to - don't hesitate to reach out for support. You can get support from Lifeline... by calling 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue by calling 1800 512 348. We hope everyone can find some moments of joy this holiday season.

24.01.2022 January 26 is not a day to celebrate. For many of us as migrants in this country, making a home here and citizenship are things we want to celebrate at the end of an often long and difficult road. But as we fight against racism and for our right to be treated as equal citizens, we also recognise where our struggles are shared and stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their ongoing fight for sovereignty.... #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

23.01.2022 Hassan, community organiser at the Migrant Workers Centre, spoke to Virginia Trioli this morning about the ATO chasing migrant workers for JobKeeper payments it erroneously approved last year. Last month, a distressed worker on a Temporary Protection Visa sought assistance from the Migrant Workers Centre after receiving a letter from the ATO asking him to pay back $13,500. Hassan was hit with a similar overpayment claim of $27,900. Both were advised by the ATO to submit a Job...Keeper application in the early days of COVID-19 and were approved. Hassan assisted the worker in disputing this repayment and it was subsequently retracted by the ATO. We know from the hideous experience of Robodebt what a serious psychological toll this can take on workers already in a precarious work and living situation. How many more workers have been affected? Listen to Hassan's full interview on ABC radio here.

18.01.2022 Solidarity with Mostafa and all the men who have finally been released from detention after 8 years . You're our friends and a part of our community. And we'll continue to fight for the 14 men still cruelly locked up by the Morrison Government at the Park Hotel and everyone else still in Australian detention centres. A fundraiser has been set up to support the 46 men who've been released. Money raised will cover basic needs like clothes, food and transport. Please donate here: refugeevoices.org.au/donate

17.01.2022 A strong message to dodgy bosses: if you steal your employees' wages, you WILL be held accountable. Last year, migrant workers at a major Melbourne recycling plant unionised and successfully fought to reclaim their stolen wages. The case was referred to the Fair Work Ombudsman and now, on top of paying back the stolen wages, the employer has been hit with hefty fines of up to $63,000 per contravention.

17.01.2022 Scott Morrison is once again vilifying migrant communities and working people with his discriminatory India travel ban. A year ago, the Morrison Government’s heavy handed China travel ban maligned thousands of workers trying to return home to Australia. The impacts of that ban - job losses, family separations, and racial vilification - are still being felt today. If the Morrison Government was serious about combating COVID-19 and supporting people in Australia - it would increase foreign aid and end its opposition to the proposed waiver of vaccine patents at the WTO.

16.01.2022 The Migrant Workers Centre will be reopening on Monday! If you need assistance with a workplace issue, you can make an online appointment with us here: https://www.migrantworkers.org.au/get_help At the moment, appointments are available in English, Korean, Chinese and Tamil.... You can also call us on 03 9659 3516.

13.01.2022 Scott Morrison’s visa system favours big businesses at the expense of working people. The Morrison government has put barrier after barrier on the pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. More and more workers find themselves in limbo going from temporary visa to temporary visa with no hope of a stable future. Meanwhile, exploitative employers churn through a vulnerable temporary migrant workforce with limited rights. Migrant Workers Centre activists are demanding permanent visas for all workers who call Australia home. Sign the petition and join the campaign

09.01.2022 Even if you only have mild symptoms, it's more important than ever to get tested. For more info, call the dedicated 24-hour coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398 or find your nearest testing site here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19.

08.01.2022 In the Federal Budget last night, the Morrison government announced from 2022, new migrants will have to wait 4 years to receive some government support payments including Family Tax Benefit A and B, carer's payments, and parental leave. Meanwhile, they've allocated $464.7 million to expanding Australia's immigration detention centres. The Morrison government is cutting back the safety nets that support new migrant families, to build up their inhumane and cruel detention system.

08.01.2022 Employers have a duty under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. This includes a duty to monitor conditions at the workplace including the temperature. If your working conditions don't seem right - you should talk to your Health and Safety rep. You can also find out more about your OH&S rights and managing heat at work here: https://www.ohsrep.org.au/heat

06.01.2022 What will 2021 bring? We can't predict the future but we can be prepared. If last year taught us anything - it's that there's power in workers coming together to fight for our rights and secure employment. Join your union today and let's collectively take on whatever 2021 throws at us https://join.australianunions.org.au/begin-join#/

04.01.2022 From healthcare and gig workers to retail and hospo staff, and everyone else who's been hard at work - thank you for all that you do!

01.01.2022 Warm wishes to all our comrades celebrating Pongal! Pongal is a four day 'harvest festival' celebrated predominantly in South Asia but also around the world - particularly by the Tamil community.