Exploited seasonal workers from Fiji must return to work for the company accused of ripping them off or go home.
The ABC on Sunday reported the workers, who were paid less than $10 a week, had been ordered to go back to AFS Contracting in Victoria's north or leave the country. AFS sponsored their temporary visas to come to Australia and has remained tight-lipped about the claims.
Officials from the Employment Department and the Immigration Department told the workers they did not have long to choose, the ABC reported.
"They are pushing us to go back home," worker Merewairita Sovasiga said.
"Every one of us is not happy. We are going back home with nothing."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was looking into the workers' complaints.
"The Australian Government regularly engages all Seasonal Worker Program participating countries on matters relating to their nation's workers, including with Fiji on the allegations in this matter," DFAT said.
"Most of these workers have homes that were devastated by the cyclone," said Sakiusa Lesuma, a Fijian-Australian who is assisting the seasonal workers.
"This is the reason they want to stay back, and work somewhere else, earn some money."
The ABC understands the Departments of Immigration and Employment told the Fijians the only option to earn money was to return to work for AFS Contracting and its owner, Tony Yamankol.
The workers from Fiji at the meeting said they would not do that.
"If you don't want to go back to Fiji, then they're trying to send us to our employer, Tony [Yamankol]. But I don't like it," one of the workers at the meeting, Manueli Taione, said.
"The way they treat us, they treat us like slaves, you know?"
The ABC tried repeatedly to contact AFS Contracting owner Mr Yamankol to ask him about the workers' allegations. He did not respond to numerous phone calls and emails.
Visits to the farm where the Fijians worked, Mr Yamankol's home and his registered office address were unsuccessful.
The ABC on Sunday reported the workers, who were paid less than $10 a week, had been ordered to go back to AFS Contracting in Victoria's north or leave the country. AFS sponsored their temporary visas to come to Australia and has remained tight-lipped about the claims.
Officials from the Employment Department and the Immigration Department told the workers they did not have long to choose, the ABC reported.
"They are pushing us to go back home," worker Merewairita Sovasiga said.
"Every one of us is not happy. We are going back home with nothing."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was looking into the workers' complaints.
"The Australian Government regularly engages all Seasonal Worker Program participating countries on matters relating to their nation's workers, including with Fiji on the allegations in this matter," DFAT said.
"Most of these workers have homes that were devastated by the cyclone," said Sakiusa Lesuma, a Fijian-Australian who is assisting the seasonal workers.
"This is the reason they want to stay back, and work somewhere else, earn some money."
The ABC understands the Departments of Immigration and Employment told the Fijians the only option to earn money was to return to work for AFS Contracting and its owner, Tony Yamankol.
The workers from Fiji at the meeting said they would not do that.
"If you don't want to go back to Fiji, then they're trying to send us to our employer, Tony [Yamankol]. But I don't like it," one of the workers at the meeting, Manueli Taione, said.
"The way they treat us, they treat us like slaves, you know?"
The ABC tried repeatedly to contact AFS Contracting owner Mr Yamankol to ask him about the workers' allegations. He did not respond to numerous phone calls and emails.
Visits to the farm where the Fijians worked, Mr Yamankol's home and his registered office address were unsuccessful.
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