A new report by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and Human Rights Law Centre, Labour in Limbo: Bridging Visa E holders and Modern Slavery Risk in Australia, casts a new light on the continued suffering of people who sought safety in Australia by boat, finding that people on the 6-month ‘Final Departure’ Bridging Visa E are at increased risk of labour exploitation and modern slavery, such as wage theft, unpaid overtime, excessive hours, and abusive working conditions.

With Australia’s Modern Slavery Act currently under review, the report calls for stronger laws that require companies to take action to prevent modern slavery, and for an end to offshore detention once and for all, including pathways to permanency for people on perpetual bridging visas.