Retail Supply Chain Alliance call for an end to worker exploitation

The Retail Supply Chain Alliance recently hosted a packed meeting at Coffs Harbour to call for an end to worker exploitation.  

The Retail Supply Chain Alliance is made up of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU).  

The event, in partnership with Coles, was filled with berry picker, farmer, supplier and retailer attendees.  

The Alliance called for a new approach to end worker exploitation, particularly the decades of underpayment and worker abuse, and raise standards in the mid north coast region and across Australia.  

“This is an industry which has been allowed to exploit vulnerable workers for far too long but we can bring an end to this,” said Daniel Walton, National Secretary, AWU.  

“We need to expose the shonky employers, and expel dodgy labour hire operators that are currently getting away with paying people a few bucks an hour for backbreaking work. We need to work with suppliers to ensure we have a truly ethical supply chain,” he said.  

The Alliance has confirmed many workers are currently earning far less than the minimum wage due to being paid piece rates – where they are paid for how much they pick. With farmers dictating these rates, workers end up earning as little as $3 an hour.  

Several speakers attested to this, sharing their personal experiences of being exploited and underpaid due to the piece rate system.  

The event also heard from Coles Senior Risk and Safety Manager Stuart Beagley, who said that the supermarket giant was committed to the cause of ensuring their produce came from ethical farms and suppliers who complied with Australian laws.  

Coles has already signed onto the Ethical Retail Supply Chain Accord and the Retail Supply Chain Alliance is now working with other retailers to get them to follow suit. 

Other speakers at the event where SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer, TWU regional organiser Ray Fitzpatrick and Thomas Costa of Unions NSW.    

Daniel Walton said the AWU and the Retail Supply Chain Alliance also called for support in their commitment to improve pay and conditions for Australian fruit and veg workers 

“We are urging the government and all parts of the industry to join us, to give us more power to police this rogue industry and ensure that all farmers treat their workers fairly. If we do that, we will not only help backpackers and seasonal workers, we will provide far more job opportunities for Australians who right now are avoiding this industry because of its reputation for abuse and underpayment,” said Walton.  

Source: Australian Workers’ Union