Report exposes systemic exploitation of migrant workers – CAF sees the same patterns in cleaning
The Cleaning Accountability Framework (CAF) has welcomed the release of new national research exposing systemic underpayment and exploitation of migrant workers across Australia, noting the findings closely reflect what CAF sees through its work in the cleaning industry.
The report, Off the Books: Inside Australia’s Hidden System of Migrant Worker Exploitation – Australia’s largest ever survey of migrant workers – reveals that two-thirds of migrant workers are being underpaid, with widespread use of cash payments, sham contracting and coercive working conditions.
CAF supported outreach for the survey within the cleaning sector, helping ensure cleaners’ experiences were reflected in the findings.
CAF CEO Miriam Thompson said the report should be a wake-up call for both government and industry.
“Worker-informed research matters. This report highlights the reality for many migrants working on temporary visas in Australia.”
She said: “It is unacceptable that those performing essential work – feeding, caring, building and cleaning – can have their rights so easily undermined. Government and industry must work together to deliver meaningful change and ensure dignity at work for all.”
CAF is a multi-stakeholder initiative working with the property services sector to support fair, safe and secure work for cleaners.
“We work with industry, government and unions to transform the property services industry into one in which cleaners are fairly paid and treated with respect,” said Thompson.
Cleaning is performed by a predominantly migrant workforce, and the issues identified in the report are consistent with CAF’s findings from direct engagement with cleaners.
Thompson said: “The report reflects what we see through our engagement with cleaners. Many of the issues identified – wage theft, lack of payslips and misclassification – are not isolated. They are systemic and often hidden within layered subcontracting arrangements.”
Insecure work driving exploitation
The MJI report identifies insecure work as a key enabling factor for exploitation. From what Thompson has witnessed through CAF’s work, she agrees with the reports assessment, saying:
“Insecure work isn’t just a condition – it’s an insidious mechanism. When workers can lose shifts for speaking up, it creates the leverage that enables exploitation to occur.”
The report noted the link between insecure work, wage theft and modern slavery.
According to the report’s lead researchers Laurie Berg and Bassina Farbenblum:
“As underpayment deepens, so too do indicators of modern slavery. This underscores that forced labour sits on a continuum of labour non-compliance.”
CAF said this has direct implications for companies reporting under Australia’s Modern Slavery Act, particularly in how they identify and manage risks within their supply chains.
Thompson said: “If organisations are serious about addressing modern slavery risks, they must also address systemic underpayment and insecure work. These issues are deeply connected.”
Unionised workers fare better
Through its worker engagement model, CAF provides safe and trusted channels for workers to raise concerns and surface issues that would otherwise remain hidden.
The MJI report reveals that union membership provides a protective effect and was associated with lower rates of underpayment and insecure work.
Workers who understand their rights and can speak up safely are less likely to experience exploitation, reinforcing the importance of worker voice and independent reporting channels.
Worker voice is critical to preventing exploitation
CAF’s Certification model provides independent assurance of labour standards, combining supply chain due diligence with direct worker engagement to identify risks and support remediation.
“Addressing these issues requires more than policies and audits. It requires ongoing visibility, accountability and meaningful engagement with workers themselves.”
Companies that commit to CAF Certification are strengthening their approach to labour risk and responsible procurement, while helping deliver safer, fairer and more respectful working conditions for cleaners.
CAF welcomed the report’s recommendations, including stronger protections to enable migrant workers to safely speak up, greater accountability for sham contracting and insecure work, and the introduction of enforceable due diligence obligations under Australia’s Modern Slavery framework.
ABOUT THE CLEANING ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK
The Cleaning Accountability Framework is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working with property owners, contractors, and workers to improve labour standards across the property services industry. Through Building and Portfolio Certification, CAF provides independent assurance of labour practices and supports better outcomes for some of Australia’s most vulnerable workers.
KEY STATISTICS FROM THE CLEANING INDUSTRY (FROM THE REPORT)
- 68% of migrant cleaners were paid below their individual legal entitlements under the Fair Work Act
- 70% were insecurely employed (casual or ABN)
- 40% were not paid superannuation
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
- ‘Off the Books: Inside Australia’s Hidden System of Migrant Worker Exploitation’ is based on the 2024 National Temporary Migrant Work Survey – an anonymous online questionnaire conducted between 8 July and 31 August 2024, available in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Nepali, Tamil and Arabic.
- The survey received 9,963 valid responses from temporary visa holders who had worked in Australia. This report focuses on the 8,370 participants who worked in Australia on a temporary visa in the 18 months prior to the survey.
- Full report and methodology: www.migrantjustice.org