Illegal Workers Picked Up on Australian Strawberry Farm

Fifteen people are in immigration detention and face removal from Australia after immigration compliance officers swooped on a market garden in Carabooda, north of Perth yesterday. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the joint operation, which also involved WA Police and Centrelink officers, was in response to information from the community that a number of people were working illegally in the area picking strawberries.

Senator Evans said that of the 50 people interviewed, 12 Malaysians and two Filipinos were found to be unlawful non-citizens who had overstayed their visitor visas. Another man, a Vietnamese national, was found to be working in breach of his visa conditions and his visa was canceled.

The 11 men and four women had all entered Australia legally on tourist visas but were working illegally at the property picking strawberries.

‘These 15 people have been taken to the Perth Immigration Detention Centre where arrangements will be made for their removal from Australia as soon as possible,’ Senator Evans said.

Immigration officers are also investigating the circumstances under which the people were employed.

Senator Evans said the immigration compliance operation should serve as a warning to people and employers that breaches of immigration law will not be tolerated.

‘This operation demonstrates that if people work illegally or if people employ illegal workers, they will be caught,’ the minister said.

Senator Evans strongly urged employers to check with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) that all people they hire have the legal right to work in Australia.

‘Employers can face severe penalties for hiring people who do not have work rights in Australia and the department will be seeking information on any involvement of organizers behind this illegal work,’ Senator Evans said.

Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation face fines of up to $13,200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66,000 per illegal worker.

Source: Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

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