AWU moves to change 'piecework' loopholes allowing farms to get away with paying $3/hour

The union will apply to the Fair Work Commission to amend the Horticulture Award to guarantee that every worker on every farm is entitled to take home the minimum casual rate of pay, $24.80 per hour.

Currently, 'piecework' arrangements are often used which allow employers to pay workers according to the quantity of fruit picked or vegetables harvested rather than the hourly rate.

Under the AWU's proposed amendment, piecework arrangements would still be permitted, but every worker would be guaranteed the award rate as a floor.

"After a slew of investigations, inquiries and media exposes over a decade, we know for a fact that worker exploitation, worker abuse, and even modern slavery is rife on Australian farms," Daniel Walton AWU National Secretary said.

"The ethical farmers who employ people on decent rates will face no disadvantage from our amendment. It is only the wage thieves, the scammers, and the 'shonks' who have anything to fear.

"Shearers, station hands, cane cutters, and others on piecework rates already have this protection. We need to extend it to fruit and veg pickers."

Vito Mancini, chair of Griffith and District Citrus Growers Association said they do not support employers paying below minimum wage but that productivity must be considered in any award amendments.

"The citrus industry needs a competent and productive workforce to ensure work gets done in a safe and efficient manner," Mr Mancini said.

"We do not support the pay or work conditions below the award's standards. Piecework is one of the tools used to help standardise the costs of labour in our businesses.

"Employers need to focus on working with employees that struggle to meet the competency objectives and make sure they adhere to the Award at all times.

"Any changes to the Award needs to have productivity outcomes to make sure Australia can continue to be competitive in all markets."

Mr Walton said the AWU anticipated broad support for the changes as it 'makes economic sense to rural communities'.

"Workers who earn more, spend more in local shops and supermarkets. They pay income tax and GST. They rent houses and build lives in regional areas," Mr Walton said.

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