故事背景：
適逢全球經濟危機，澳洲政府逆向宣傳夢幻工作，促進觀光業、填補初級人力並營造需才若渴之國際形象，台灣媒體亦競相報導澳洲打工度假的百萬淘金夢，2012/2013年度，台灣青年赴澳洲打工度假的人數倍增至第三名，僅次於英國與南韓。事實上，澳洲青年失業率高達17%，持工作簽證之專業技術人員、移民或國際學生，多掙扎於低薪與剝削的勞動條件。
不幸的是，許多台灣青年缺乏澳洲現況的真實報導，聽任媒體誇大渲染，缺乏語言能力與獨立生活技能冒然來到澳洲，體驗的是生活拮据與求職困難。2013年澳洲經濟衰退與失業率惡化，以南澳洲為例，許多台灣青年找不到工作，自願接受澳幣時薪8到14元的低薪工作，以避免燒光旅費；此外，亦有為數不少的人認清澳洲就業現況，或遭遇層出不窮的求職詐騙之後，毅然決定渡完假返台。
I. 故事是這樣發生的…
2013年3月底，我落腳於南澳洲阿得雷德的背包客棧「Adelaide Motel And Backpackers」，目睹臺灣違法代辦業者NAVIJT(台灣泛亞流通聯盟)、澳洲私立就業服務公司INSTANT SOLUTION STAFF(ISS)，與澳洲肉廠人力派遣公司WORLD WORKERS的跨國肉廠招募鏈與違法收費。
臺灣代辦業者NAVIJT，未取得私立就業服務許可，收取每人新台幣50,000至80,000元的代辦費(約澳幣1600至2900元)，聲稱即使不會英、日、韓語的打工度假者，將透過海外辦公室的語言、生活與就業媒合，至澳洲、日本或韓國工作。此代辦曾於2013年初遭台北市政府以違法招募，罰款新台幣三十萬元，直至今年五月因會員提告涉嫌詐欺，並獲媒體報導才迅速停業。同時，原會員轉移至同一批經營團隊的背包客有限公司。
同年四月左右，臺中鴻昇集團亦以挑戰百萬年薪為噱頭，收取約新台幣五萬元。(約AUD$ 1600)。澳洲ISS收取澳幣550元的工作情報費。前三者跨國招募管道，持續媒介臺灣打工度假者至南澳，再由可能屬於WORLD WORKERS 的南韓人PAUL以承包商形式聘僱打工度假者(ex.SN Worknet Group Pty Ltd, TC General Services Pty Ltd or Poutee Pty Ltd)，工人領取約澳幣16至20元時薪，並派遣進入THE THOMAS FOODS International(T&R)-” Lobethal Australia Pty Ltd “, THE THOMAS FOODS International(T&R)-” Murray Bridge ” , Macro investments Pty Ltd等羊、牛及袋鼠肉廠。
最後，南韓打工度假者曾向我表示，他們必須要付將近澳幣800元給PAUL，以進入上述工廠。
II. 「買」一個工作
由於工作難尋，臉書的許多工作職缺要求收取介紹費、仲介費或工作情報費。我必須要付澳幣100元至1000元不等，給販賣工作的背包客、工頭、 承包商(contractor)或仲介(agent)，以金錢換取一份工作。上述兩個現象，令我相當震驚，我開始研究澳洲就業服務法規，並在臉書社團宣導澳洲承包商(contractor)、仲介與雇主，三者皆不得向求職人收取招募費、仲介費或工作媒介費，獲得許多人的回應與社團版主迴響，共同抵制販賣工作。
III. 公平工作專署介入調查
六個月來，透過社群的教育、凝聚共識與團結，清理與抵制背包客的個人行為已有所進展。困難的是，如何撼動臺灣與澳洲的肉廠招募鏈，遏止職缺壟斷與違法收費。最後，我決定將所見所聞記錄下來，聯繫澳洲公平工作專署(Fair Work Ombudsman)，請其協助介入調查。南澳洲公平工作專署經釐清案情後，鼓勵相關人士提出檢舉，讓Fair work有機會進行深入調查，並視調查結果，決定處理方式。
IV. 此案可能涉及的違法事項：
1. 雇主代表、機構或任何人，不得向求職人收取費用，以換取一份工作；
2. 南澳肉廠臨時工時薪，若為澳幣16元，恐有未達法定薪資的疑慮。（筆者補充：若未報稅，另有雇主扣稅未報或逃漏稅之虞）
V. 官方資訊與中文申訴教學
1. How to make a complaint: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/complaints/how-to-make-a-complaint/pages/default.aspx
2. 中文申訴教學(轉自袋鼠文化工作室) http://www.transmovement.com/2013/01/fair-work-ombudsman.html
筆者後記：不斷跟違法收費的仲介或個人說明法律，我不是沒有掙扎過，但這六個月來，我受到許多台灣打工度假者的勇氣鼓舞，還有看到他們眼中對於付出高額費用的自嘲，無奈與失望，尤其是不懂英文受制於人的尷尬。我過去協助的是，在台灣的印尼、越南與泰國人，今年能夠這樣協助在澳的台灣人，我覺得很驕傲。你不用給我任何錢，我也不要你的錢。只希望大家記得打工度假不是讓你來被剝削的，異國生存得學著硬頸與團結。
打工度假者眼中也不能只有錢，我們每人都有守法與對澳洲的社會責任。
仲介或承包商若可以透過壟斷職缺，違法收費，有繳錢的人才能進入，這會剝奪澳洲人與其他人公平就業的機會。守法的人進不去，也製造澳洲社會亂象。仲介的工作是篩選勝任的求職者，若這些違法仲介或承包商，就只顧著收台灣人的錢，放任不合格的工人(ex.自以為付錢是老大)進入工廠，最後傷害的是台灣人整體的工作名聲。
Working holiday maker’s report
” When you need a job, have to buy/pay it…?! Instead, Report it to Fair Work ”
The reality and guide to report illegal charge in meat factories, South Australia
Author: Mei-Han Hsing, from Taiwan
Background ：
During Global economic recession, Australia government is reversely making ”DREAM JOBs” to attract working holiday makers and tourists with aims to promote tourism and to supply primary labor source. Taiwan media also catch this train with a millionaire dream for youth. In 2012/2013, Taiwan working holiday makers become the third majority population than UK and South Korea. In fact, the Australia unployment rate for youth reach 17% this year and there are already many professional migrant workers, immigration, and International students are suffering low payment and exploited labor condition.
Unfortunately, Taiwan Media lack of sufficient understanding to real situation and updated report so youth are lured to earn fortune without proper language and skills. For example in South Australia, they end up to be desperately looking for a underpayment work with the hourly rate AUD$ 8-14 in order to afford high living cost. Also, there are many people acknowledge the reality of unemployment or been cheated by scam so they decide to end up this journey as holiday only.
I. What happen…
This March, I have witnessed one cross-national crime about illegal charge and Taiwan-Australia recruitment channel among NAVIJT, Taiwan (台灣泛亞流通聯盟), INSTANT SOLUTION STAFF, Australia (ISS) and WORLD WORKERS, Australia to meat factories while stayed in Adelaide Motel And Backpackers.
NAVIJT is one unregistered employment agency in Taiwan. It continued recruiting working holiday makers with the promised language, life and job support after its illegal recruitment conduct had been fine NT$300,000 by Taipei City Government in Jan 2013. This May, after tens of victims accuse its fraud and over-charge practice, its Taipei office is forced to shut down under Media attention. Then, it quickly transfers current members to new registered agency, Backpacker.
This April, the Glory Human Resource Managment, Taiwan (鴻昇集團), one registered employment agency in Taiwan recruits youth by the advertisement, ” taking a chance to earn NT$ one million dollar by working holiday in Australia”. It charges service fee about AUD$ 1600 .
INSTANT SOLUTION STAFF, Australia also demand fee for vacancy information up to AUD$ 550.
All those three recruitment sources come to Paul who may work with WORLD WORKERS. Paul, this South Korean man has several companies to hire workers as contractor, for example, SN Worknet Group Pty Ltd, TC General Services Pty Ltd or Poutee Pty Ltd. And then Paul assigns workers into several factories such as “THE THOMAS FOODS International(T&R)- Lobethal Australia Pty Ltd “, ”THE THOMAS FOODS International(T&R)- Murray Bridge ” , Macro investments Pty Ltd and so on. Workers receive hourly rate between AUD$ 16-20. ;
There were some working holiday makers from South Korea told me that they paid Paul nearly AUD$ 800 in return for working there.
II. BUYING a job
Meanwhile, I were eagerly looking for work while facing the dilemma which I was required to pay AUD$100 to AUD$1000 in exchange of a job. I mean “BUYING a job” from backpackers, middle person, contractor, or agents is common. This two phenomena shock me so I start to investigate relative employment agency regulation and clean up sort of negative practice by educating, awareness rising and coalition in Taiwan backpacker communities. According to Australia’s employment agency regulation, it is not allowed a agent demand payment in return for work. Happily, Taiwan working holiday makers share similar value and together confront the negative practice, ” Selling a job.”
III. Fair Work want you
After 6 months effort, it is not difficulty to stop backpackers’ individual behavior after the cooperation by backpackers and facebook groups, but it is quite hard to shake the systematic crime which may involve employment agency in Taiwan and Australia’s meat factories. Its dominance may deprive equal work rights of everyone. Therefore, I decide to record what I see and contact to Fair Work Ombudsman, Australia. After discussing whole picture, Fair Work encourages people to make a complaint so it can take further investigation and decide appropriate action.
IV. Fair Work’s concerns:
1. The employer’s representative, any organization or person is not allowed to demand payment in return for work.
V. Complain to Fair Work: (please refer to fair work website)
1. How to make a complaint: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/complaints/how-to-make-a-complaint/pages/default.aspx
2. 中文申訴教學(轉自袋鼠文化工作室) http://www.transmovement.com/2013/01/fair-work-ombudsman.html
This report is written by one working holiday maker from Taiwan who have worked with migrant workers and victims of human rights abuse in Taiwan, Thailand and Australia. The author is motivated by many anonymous backpackers who are willing to speak out their personal experience and provide related evidence. All they wish to happen is changing the illegal misconduct of employment agents between two countries. They promote the nature of working holiday as adventure instead of slavery and try their best can-do manner to help me compose this report. I would like to give my heart and appreciation to whom involve in this resistance and cheers for brave .
Taiwanese community uphold the value of equity and rights not be exploited. We also consider the dominance of recruitment process and its illegal charge practice may deprive the work rights of Australian when factories take advantage of lower cost and cheaper labour.
II. 「買」一個工作
由於工作難尋，臉書的許多工作職缺要求收取介紹費、仲介費或工作情報費。我必須要付澳幣100元至1000元不等，給販賣工作的背包客、工頭、 承包商(contractor)或仲介(agent)，以金錢換取一份工作。上述兩個現象，令我相當震驚，我開始研究澳洲就業服務法規，並在臉書社團宣導澳洲承包商(contractor)、仲介與雇主，三者皆不得向求職人收取招募費、仲介費或工作媒介費，獲得許多人的回應與社團版主迴響，共同抵制販賣工作。
III. 公平工作專署介入調查
六個月來，透過社群的教育、凝聚共識與團結，清理與抵制背包客的個人行為已有所進展。困難的是，如何撼動臺灣與澳洲的肉廠招募鏈，遏止職缺壟斷與違法收費。最後，我決定將所見所聞記錄下來，聯繫澳洲公平工作專署(Fair Work Ombudsman)，請其協助介入調查。南澳洲公平工作專署經釐清案情後，鼓勵相關人士提出檢舉，讓Fair work有機會進行深入調查，並視調查結果，決定處理方式。
IV. 此案可能涉及的違法事項：
1. 雇主代表、機構或任何人，不得向求職人收取費用，以換取一份工作；
2. 南澳肉廠臨時工時薪，若為澳幣16元，恐有未達法定薪資的疑慮。（筆者補充：若未報稅，另有雇主扣稅未報或逃漏稅之虞）
V. 官方資訊與中文申訴教學
1. How to make a complaint: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/complaints/how-to-make-a-complaint/pages/default.aspx
2. 中文申訴教學(轉自袋鼠文化工作室) http://www.transmovement.com/2013/01/fair-work-ombudsman.html
筆者後記：不斷跟違法收費的仲介或個人說明法律，我不是沒有掙扎過，但這六個月來，我受到許多台灣打工度假者的勇氣鼓舞，還有看到他們眼中對於付出高額費用的自嘲，無奈與失望，尤其是不懂英文受制於人的尷尬。我過去協助的是，在台灣的印尼、越南與泰國人，今年能夠這樣協助在澳的台灣人，我覺得很驕傲。你不用給我任何錢，我也不要你的錢。只希望大家記得打工度假不是讓你來被剝削的，異國生存得學著硬頸與團結。
打工度假者眼中也不能只有錢，我們每人都有守法與對澳洲的社會責任。
仲介或承包商若可以透過壟斷職缺，違法收費，有繳錢的人才能進入，這會剝奪澳洲人與其他人公平就業的機會。守法的人進不去，也製造澳洲社會亂象。仲介的工作是篩選勝任的求職者，若這些違法仲介或承包商，就只顧著收台灣人的錢，放任不合格的工人(ex.自以為付錢是老大)進入工廠，最後傷害的是台灣人整體的工作名聲。
Working holiday maker’s report
” When you need a job, have to buy/pay it…?! Instead, Report it to Fair Work ”
The reality and guide to report illegal charge in meat factories, South Australia
Author: Mei-Han Hsing, from Taiwan
Background ：
During Global economic recession, Australia government is reversely making ”DREAM JOBs” to attract working holiday makers and tourists with aims to promote tourism and to supply primary labor source. Taiwan media also catch this train with a millionaire dream for youth. In 2012/2013, Taiwan working holiday makers become the third majority population than UK and South Korea. In fact, the Australia unployment rate for youth reach 17% this year and there are already many professional migrant workers, immigration, and International students are suffering low payment and exploited labor condition.
Unfortunately, Taiwan Media lack of sufficient understanding to real situation and updated report so youth are lured to earn fortune without proper language and skills. For example in South Australia, they end up to be desperately looking for a underpayment work with the hourly rate AUD$ 8-14 in order to afford high living cost. Also, there are many people acknowledge the reality of unemployment or been cheated by scam so they decide to end up this journey as holiday only.
I. What happen…
This March, I have witnessed one cross-national crime about illegal charge and Taiwan-Australia recruitment channel among NAVIJT, Taiwan (台灣泛亞流通聯盟), INSTANT SOLUTION STAFF, Australia (ISS) and WORLD WORKERS, Australia to meat factories while stayed in Adelaide Motel And Backpackers.
NAVIJT is one unregistered employment agency in Taiwan. It continued recruiting working holiday makers with the promised language, life and job support after its illegal recruitment conduct had been fine NT$300,000 by Taipei City Government in Jan 2013. This May, after tens of victims accuse its fraud and over-charge practice, its Taipei office is forced to shut down under Media attention. Then, it quickly transfers current members to new registered agency, Backpacker.
This April, the Glory Human Resource Managment, Taiwan (鴻昇集團), one registered employment agency in Taiwan recruits youth by the advertisement, ” taking a chance to earn NT$ one million dollar by working holiday in Australia”. It charges service fee about AUD$ 1600 .
INSTANT SOLUTION STAFF, Australia also demand fee for vacancy information up to AUD$ 550.
All those three recruitment sources come to Paul who may work with WORLD WORKERS. Paul, this South Korean man has several companies to hire workers as contractor, for example, SN Worknet Group Pty Ltd, TC General Services Pty Ltd or Poutee Pty Ltd. And then Paul assigns workers into several factories such as “THE THOMAS FOODS International(T&R)- Lobethal Australia Pty Ltd “, ”THE THOMAS FOODS International(T&R)- Murray Bridge ” , Macro investments Pty Ltd and so on. Workers receive hourly rate between AUD$ 16-20. ;
There were some working holiday makers from South Korea told me that they paid Paul nearly AUD$ 800 in return for working there.
II. BUYING a job
Meanwhile, I were eagerly looking for work while facing the dilemma which I was required to pay AUD$100 to AUD$1000 in exchange of a job. I mean “BUYING a job” from backpackers, middle person, contractor, or agents is common. This two phenomena shock me so I start to investigate relative employment agency regulation and clean up sort of negative practice by educating, awareness rising and coalition in Taiwan backpacker communities. According to Australia’s employment agency regulation, it is not allowed a agent demand payment in return for work. Happily, Taiwan working holiday makers share similar value and together confront the negative practice, ” Selling a job.”
III. Fair Work want you
After 6 months effort, it is not difficulty to stop backpackers’ individual behavior after the cooperation by backpackers and facebook groups, but it is quite hard to shake the systematic crime which may involve employment agency in Taiwan and Australia’s meat factories. Its dominance may deprive equal work rights of everyone. Therefore, I decide to record what I see and contact to Fair Work Ombudsman, Australia. After discussing whole picture, Fair Work encourages people to make a complaint so it can take further investigation and decide appropriate action.
IV. Fair Work’s concerns:
1. The employer’s representative, any organization or person is not allowed to demand payment in return for work.
V. Complain to Fair Work: (please refer to fair work website)
1. How to make a complaint: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/complaints/how-to-make-a-complaint/pages/default.aspx
2. 中文申訴教學(轉自袋鼠文化工作室) http://www.transmovement.com/2013/01/fair-work-ombudsman.html
This report is written by one working holiday maker from Taiwan who have worked with migrant workers and victims of human rights abuse in Taiwan, Thailand and Australia. The author is motivated by many anonymous backpackers who are willing to speak out their personal experience and provide related evidence. All they wish to happen is changing the illegal misconduct of employment agents between two countries. They promote the nature of working holiday as adventure instead of slavery and try their best can-do manner to help me compose this report. I would like to give my heart and appreciation to whom involve in this resistance and cheers for brave .
Taiwanese community uphold the value of equity and rights not be exploited. We also consider the dominance of recruitment process and its illegal charge practice may deprive the work rights of Australian when factories take advantage of lower cost and cheaper labour.
