The Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating claims 29 foreign workers at the Manildra site at Bomaderry are being paid as little as $1.75 an hour.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) claims the 13 Chinese nationals and 16 Filipino nationals are being paid the equivalent of $20,000 a year for 10 to 11 hours' work a day, six to seven days a week and then being charged around $13,000 per annum for board and lodging.
At best it equates to earnings of $2.24 an hour, down to a measly $1.75 an hour, after room and board.
CFMEU organisers Dave Kelly and Dave Curtain met with Alan Sinclair, the Australian representative of the company that employs the workers, Chia Tung Development Corporation, in Wollongong on Thursday.
After their discussions, Mr Sinclair's lawyer made a brief statement to media waiting outside the Lowden Square office.
"All we have to say is there is continuing discussions with the union and the relevant authorities and we're hoping to address the concerns that have been raised," he said.
Mr Curtain said Thursday's meeting had raised issues about who had most responsibility for the workers.
"They've indicated to us that it's Chia Tung Australia that has rented the house for [the workers] but they have no control of the contracts over the workers, that's handled by Chia Tung Development Corporation which is a Taiwanese entity, so we don't really understand who's in charge of this," he said.
A spokeswoman for Manildra Group said the company had a contract with Chia Tung for the supply and installation of a pellet feed mill and that Chia Tung provided their own construction workers.
"Manildra Group has become aware of certain allegations made by the CFMEU about Chia Tung's treatment of its employees," she said.
"We are taking this matter seriously and making inquiries of Chia Tung as to the allegations.
"We cannot make any further comment at this stage."
Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis said she was trying to independently confirm details about the visa status and working conditions of the 29 men and had referred the matter to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for immediate investigation.
"If these reports are true, I am deeply concerned both for the welfare of these workers, and secondly just how this could happen in our community," she said.
Mr Curtain said the CFMEU had requested a further meeting with Mr Sinclair and executives from Manildra at the Bomaderry site on Tuesday to resolve the situation.
He said the focus now was on ensuring the workers were treated with fairness and respect.
"Our concern is looking after the interests of these people, not just as workers but as human beings as well," he said.
Mr Curtain said the workers had every legal right to be in the country and the CFMEU was demanding they receive their legal entitlements.
While most were employed under the temporary 457 visa, Mr Curtain said some held specialised work visas.
"From what we saw, they didn't appear to be doing highly specialised work," he said.
"Why aren't these opportunities being given to local workers?"
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) claims the 13 Chinese nationals and 16 Filipino nationals are being paid the equivalent of $20,000 a year for 10 to 11 hours' work a day, six to seven days a week and then being charged around $13,000 per annum for board and lodging.
At best it equates to earnings of $2.24 an hour, down to a measly $1.75 an hour, after room and board.
CFMEU organisers Dave Kelly and Dave Curtain met with Alan Sinclair, the Australian representative of the company that employs the workers, Chia Tung Development Corporation, in Wollongong on Thursday.
After their discussions, Mr Sinclair's lawyer made a brief statement to media waiting outside the Lowden Square office.
"All we have to say is there is continuing discussions with the union and the relevant authorities and we're hoping to address the concerns that have been raised," he said.
Mr Curtain said Thursday's meeting had raised issues about who had most responsibility for the workers.
"They've indicated to us that it's Chia Tung Australia that has rented the house for [the workers] but they have no control of the contracts over the workers, that's handled by Chia Tung Development Corporation which is a Taiwanese entity, so we don't really understand who's in charge of this," he said.
A spokeswoman for Manildra Group said the company had a contract with Chia Tung for the supply and installation of a pellet feed mill and that Chia Tung provided their own construction workers.
"Manildra Group has become aware of certain allegations made by the CFMEU about Chia Tung's treatment of its employees," she said.
"We are taking this matter seriously and making inquiries of Chia Tung as to the allegations.
"We cannot make any further comment at this stage."
Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis said she was trying to independently confirm details about the visa status and working conditions of the 29 men and had referred the matter to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for immediate investigation.
"If these reports are true, I am deeply concerned both for the welfare of these workers, and secondly just how this could happen in our community," she said.
Mr Curtain said the CFMEU had requested a further meeting with Mr Sinclair and executives from Manildra at the Bomaderry site on Tuesday to resolve the situation.
He said the focus now was on ensuring the workers were treated with fairness and respect.
"Our concern is looking after the interests of these people, not just as workers but as human beings as well," he said.
Mr Curtain said the workers had every legal right to be in the country and the CFMEU was demanding they receive their legal entitlements.
While most were employed under the temporary 457 visa, Mr Curtain said some held specialised work visas.
"From what we saw, they didn't appear to be doing highly specialised work," he said.
"Why aren't these opportunities being given to local workers?"
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