15 March, 2023
Workers on strike at Oakey Beef Exports
Migrant workers didn’t show up to work last week in protest of a wage gap which means they get paid less for their labour than their co-workers.
Oakey Beef was left significantly short-staffed last week as dozens of migrant workers did not show up to work.
It’s understood that a significant proportion of the migrant workforce is unhappy with a wage gap that exists between themselves and their fellow workers.
A spokesperson for the group told the Oakey Champion that they wanted answers as to why they were being paid two dollars less an hour than workers with Australian citizenship.
It’s believed the group members, mostly from the Pacific Islands and living locally, had their contracts arranged by recruitment service the Food Industry People Group, who are based at Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.
Oakey Beef Exports and the Food Industry People Group have both been contacted for comment.
