Unions have accused shipbuilder Austal of exploiting Filipino workers just months after being awarded a lucrative contract with the Royal Australian Navy. The Electrical Trades Union of Australia alleges Austal has brought a group of about 30 Filipinos to Australia and that they are being paid less than half the minimum wage for electrical and other work.
The union claims the Filipinos are working 10-hour days, Monday to Thursday, for just $90 a day, with no superannuation, at the company’s shipyards at Henderson and Naval Base south of Perth.
ETU state secretary Peter Carter said an extension of their working visas in May coincided with Austal sacking local workers.
The union has copies of the visas and employment contracts, and has accused Austal of wage theft....MORE
