0:21 I'm an Aussie, I have migrant workers. I have picked up and driven them home when their cars break down, helped them english with applications for courses, helped them move house. They are here, young and brave but exposed, it's my obligation to help and protect them. In return I get loyalty, respect, friendship and a hard day's work out of them. When I was young and travelling, others did the same for me, now it's my turn to give back. We're not all bad. Good luck mate.
good on you mate, I have never had an abusive person in Innisfail, I married in south Johnstone and have lived in north Queensland for the last 50 years.
You're right, not all farmers are bad and I only wish I'd come across you when I out there working. Good on you. I appreciate the fact that you're out there being decent.
Too many employers don't understand that your way is not only the decent way, it's also the way to get the best from your employees. Respect them and they will respect you. It also makes everyone's lives better. Great to hear that you get it :)
As an Aussie country girl who grew up on a farm out west here in Queensland, I'm appalled and embarrassed by your story. Please know that we're not all like that. Anyone who suffers abuse by farmers, PLEASE 🙏 make a formal complaint to the authorities and put the word out and why. If they're called out officially and publicly, they'll have no seasonalworkers and their crops won't make the harvest, therefore, no money. They deserve to be punished. End of story. It's important to note that like any 'business', there are always some arseholes among many good and decent people......and there ARE many more good and decent farmers in Australia who treat seasonal workers very well. Some seasonal workers will say a particular farmer is bad, yet others will say the same farmer treated them well. While there maybe some less than desirable farmers around, there's always 2 sides to every story.
We did. My husband and I as newlyweds were working on a broadacre apple and stone fruit farm while travelling around the country. This one was in NSW. We came from agricultural backgrounds and we were no strangers to manual work. The farmer did not provide toilets while on site and expected us to go "over there". Water was provided via a dirty pipe (part of the irrigation system) and the water was bore water. Transport was via a rusty old trailer on the back of his 4WD carrying all 14 of us and he was just a ****. 40C+ heat. Four days in breaking our backs and putting up with this farmer's and his son's bs, I was like, fk this. We were then told if we left we'd not be paid. Husband had a few words and we were paid but he docked us for "leaving early". Now we're Australian. The rest of the crew were all overseas backpackers - Asia and South America mainly. We worked places in Qld, NSW and NT. A good 70% were opportunists looking to take every advantage off the agri worker (including sexually - one farmer kept sending off my husband to do fencing while I did his domestic chores and wanted me to act like the wife...it was crazy weird and we got outta there quickly) and we kept detailed notes. We lodged a detailed complaint complete with photos of the environment, conditions etc and all we got was crickets. Politicians don't care. Media outlets call us Aussies bludgers because farmers are having to "import workers" to work their farms. Bottom line is this: you have the national romantic notion of the farmer being the hero of the nation, growing the food, feeding us all blah blah blah. It's all bs. They don't give a toss about the people, only the millions that pour in via grants, subsidies and profits. We were paid a pittance and we were docked the full tax rate. Put up with abuse, sexual innuendo and just really shitty conditions. I earned more working retail. THAT'S WHY Australians refuse to work for farmers. God only knows what foreigners experience. I shudder to think.
Wow! Sorry about your experiences in the hands of brutes. Thot these evils happen only in Africa. Reminds me of how the Aboriginals, the original owners of Aussie land, were dealt with, killed and their land taken over from them, forcing those that survived to go hide in the bushes, according to stories I've heard.
@@sorchahonorine6329 WOW! These farmers are the lowest of the low! I hate that anyone had to go through what these so called MEN put them through. It's an absolute shame.
Abusive employers are all over that so called developed world. They abuse the migrants and the slaves in particular. Illegal migrant is a slave. But the governments are responsible for that. In addition governments are responsible destruction of agri markets trough subsidies what destroys agriculture around the world producing migrants.
You know we have strict workplace health and safety laws in Australia? These scumbags need to be reported. I can't stand to hear people being treated like this, absolutely sickening. Pity we don't have decent people in parliament that would take this more seriously.
The farmers sound like Mick Taylor off the movie Wolf Creek, but manage to not kill the backpackers. Nice people, not. I 100% agree with you, more farm workers need to complain to #Worksafe.
Im an Aussie and I worked fruit picking while I was road tripping and I only did it for 4 hours because I figured out I was only getting paid $4ph for picking pears. I complained about it to the proper authorities and literally nothing happened. Farms get away with it because the farmers are selling to big companies like SPC. back packers also don't care because they only do it to satisfy their amount of days to get to stay longer. I spoke to back packers about it and they literally didn't care how much they were getting paid.
Yeah but most Aussies know that those laws often have loopholes and poor enforcement when it's out of people's line of sight. I live in Melbourne and i remember at the start of the COVID lockdowns the farmers representatives getting on the radio and saying "we are going to have food rotting on the vine because we can't get people from overseas and we can't get Aussies to work for us". To which there was a barrage of calls of Aussies telling him where to stick it because we all know what working for Aussie farmers are like and that maybe if they were actually paying decent wage and conditions they might get some Aussie labour once in a while.
@@milamber319 funny you mention Melbourne cause that's where I was and this was during COVID. Those farmers had workers willing to work but we just weren't willing to work for $4 an hour. Those farms just like to cry wolf. They love getting sympathy because the government will bail them out. That's why farmers don't care about paying us properly, cause they know they will always get bailed out. It upsets me to think that this is the way our Aussie farmers act. (I know there are good farms out there because I've worked them but it's very rare you'll find a good farmer these days)
They have strict laws in Australian on health and safety, and abuse, but the problem is that under their last right wing government, influenced by the farming lobby, they were never enforced. See the hundred of articles and even comments here on this issue. There were so many of these shocking farmers that they undercut and even forced out of business the decent ones: the rules were just not applied. I hear the government is thinking of cancelling the whole visa class: there was just too much abuse in the farming industry by these wicked people who always vote in politicians (National Party) to serve their selfish interests, and bugger everyone else. Aussies won't work for these farmers because they know they will be ripped off, if not abused. Farmers need to put their prices up or be less greedy, and stop supporting lobbyists who they pay to whinge about the fact 'Aussies are lazy and won't do the work', let alone complain about fruit rotting on the vine because they want 3rd world working conditions in a 1st world country. The stories of the victims are horrific.
This sounds horrible! I'm so sorry this happened to you. You seem like a very kind, caring, and optimistic person and I hope you never endure this again. All the sickness on top of the abuse. Just awful
@@williamshafer3199 At any given time there are 3 million Australians working in London alone which constitutes 12% of the Australian population so it all swings in roundabouts.
My husband got cellulitis and was sent to hospital for treatment . Long story short , three days later I was called to say that he had passed due to complications with his kidneys . Please take everything seriously because sometimes you might not get to go back to your loved one's. So glad you're okay now 🇦🇺
Every story is worse than the one before, I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. Doesn't even sound like Australia, BUT IT IS. Parlliament needs to be told as well as Councils and all politicians YOU MIGHT HAVE A CASE AGAINST THE HOSPITAL. SOUNDS LIKE REMDESIVIR WAS GIVEN AS IF HE WERE A COVID PATIENT. REMDESIVIR DESTROYS KIDNEYS.
@infin8ee I had it and nearly lost my life it ravaged my body especially my arm and hand. And the drugs/treatment are horrible to they make you ill on top of everything else. I hope you’re ok 💙
@@colinsace1 I'm so sorry that you went through that but am wildly pleased that you came out the other side and are here now. All the very best for the coming year and beyond
Hi mate, I'm an Aussie from Brisbane and spent 6 months in Tully (north qld) banana farming. It was truly hard work, but the backpacker hostel was too much fun. The locals are unsophisticated and abusive. I quit many farms and found some nicer smaller family owned ones. Sorry to hear about your scary health problems. Glad you survived to tell your story. EDIT: Not all the locals were unsophisticated and abusive. Some of the locals were amazing people. One terrible experience I had was working on one farm, in which the farmer took a disliking to me. After a long, hot day working in the banana fields, I was super thirsty and asked the farmer for some drinking water, he pointed to a tap. I drank loads of the water as it was nice and cool. 24 hours later, I felt really off, started vomiting and felt like I had been hit by a bus. Went to hospital and had a stomach bug from bacteria. Was really sick for 2-3 days. The farmer knew too well that tap was straight from the creek/river. Bastard made me sick. The reason he took a disliking to me was because he was talking about one of the British girls on the farm, really dirty, and I would not engage in his disgusting conversation, I'm a gentlemen when it comes to repspecting woman. He was a dirty local and instantly disliked me for that reason. I survived, so all good in the end.
Yes, I am sure there are very few horrible Farms like he experienced. The smaller Family owned Farms are much nicer. He should report the abuse to Australian Department that actually act on these matters.
As an Australian, this is embarrassing and outrageous. I encourage anyone to really do their research before doing any farm work. Are there sites where travellers can discuss these experiences? Someone even mentioned sexual abuse. These criminals need to be stopped!!!
Bro I had to comment. As an Aussie who travelled around picking fruit for a few years - probably more for the backpackers than the work - I hear you. I witnessed so much abuse over the years, from farmers targeting certain guys to pick on, to sexual abuse and intimidation of the girls which was sadly very common. You brought back a lot of memories. Thanks for the story and best of luck to you mate.
@@pepelemoko01 Yep. And calling on the government to force those "lazy dole bludgers" to work picking fruit. Not for actual pay of course. No, we'll just keep paying them the dole & call it a "training program" 😡
Point 2 - Removal of Farm Work Previously it was a requirement to do 88 days of specified work to be able to apply for a second year visa , then 6 months of specified work for a third year visa. From July 2024 you will be able to get three separate visas with no specified work. ^ They're changing the law everyone. Hopefully old mate's story is the last one we'll have to hear. Thanks for sharing your story mate.
@@evanburrows1697 No she isn't blaming anybody - I agree that this treatment of overseas and Australian workers on fruit farms SHOULD be addressed and brought to the attention of the local and federal Government so changes can be made to improve conditions - THAT is what she is saying.
Although this was posted 11 months ago, I feel it's still worth sharing my personal experience in Australia. So, I am 24 years of age; I moved to Australia back in 2022 when I graduated from uni in Lebanon. I was genuinely so excited as I've been in Australia before on a holiday and fell madly in love with the people, sceneries, culture and how generally the country is. So when I moved here, I had a huge slap on my face as to how abusive and condescending my boss was (just for context: I was working in a corporate environment in Sydney). In a country where mental health is often spoken about and how important it is to be maintained, I was utterly shocked at how rough and merciless the bosses and co-workers can be. The meanness and rudeness experienced were unbelievable. I know this doesn't apply to all Aussies, but the trauma that you can develop in a foreign country where its people may fail to fathom the other different person is mind-blowing. Now, in your case you did have the choice to go back home and then head over to New Zealand, whereas mine I simply have no choice due to the daunting situation in my home country of Lebanon. To end this comment on a positive note, though, I am grateful for Australia as a country as it is my safe haven, and I only hope that things will get better with me and every grappling migrant because, truth be told, IT IS NOT EASY!
Move to Melbourne - a whole different cultural mindset. Many Sydneysiders almost believe they are in LA or New York and are way higher up the food chain than anyone else. I have seen this shit first hand having worked for an organisation with two main offices one in each city. A large cross section of the Sydney Office believed themselves to be our management even if they were doing the same roles. So yeah I think their water still comes in lead pipes or something.
You don't have to work on a farm to encounter work-place psychopaths in Australia. Very few of the many companies I've worked for had effective policies against workplace abuse or for weeding out workplace psychopaths and, if you're not prepared when you meet one of these individuals they can BS you into doing yourself all sorts of harm just for jollies. And, yes, these guys really do work hard to make the workplace as dangerous and unhealthy as possible so I'd recommend, at the minimum, reporting the farmer in question to the OH&S regulators in Queensland and see what happens.
@@jamesbanda7069 What do you mean by "migrants"? There's a very big difference between an immigrant legally entering Australia and illegal economic migrants (mostly men) pouring in from countries not at war and not suffering famine, and then expecting and getting free accommodation, healthcare, education, transport etc.
I'm an Aussie, and I'm familiar with the dark side of the ever-friendly Aussie character and this describes it too a tea. Poor guy! I'm sorry on behalf of all Aussie's for the disgraceful way you were treated by those bloody, bitter and nasty farmers.
Since 30 years ago, I am saying 30 YEARS AGO when I was in my early 20s at college, it's been well known how abusive it is to work at farms on Aussie working holiday visa. It includes abusive labor, and sometimes sexual abuse whether you are male or female. It seems like nothing has changed since then.
Yeah even working in Japan 20 years ago on a working holiday visa was super sketchy, I was lucky to get out alive and like you say the sexual abuse is not limited to one gender.
Cost of living here is getting worse every year, just getting to and from work costs me $250 per week, food is $500 per week thankfully I don’t have a mortgage but I have family who pay upwards of $500 per week for a crappy 2 bedroom flat, Australia was once the land of dreams but it’s been ruined by ridiculous tolls, taxes, regulations, just 1 pack of 20 cigarettes in Sydney will set you back $40+, it’s becoming the worse country to live by far, seems like no amount of money you earn is enough
Sorry to hear about your experience bro! I'm a Brit & I did my regional work in Bundaberg which was also brutal. Got paid $2.50 per bucket for picking Zucchinis. Definitely feel the Australian Government should do more to make sure those on working holiday visa don't get exploited
I did those as well in queensland and you had to wear gloves as the skin has a chemical that gives you a rash. I hardly made any money on some farms...I think the only time I made any money was picking peppers by the bucket! A lot of farms didn't have big crops so I was working 3 days a week sometimes...barely enough to pay the rent!
I picked mangos in Bundaberg! Had 2 things happen: 1. a fellow picker deliberately picked a mango a sprayed the juice in my eye 2. was picking mangos on top of the tractor thing - my legs got whipped with mango branches - got some sort of allergic reaction. Had to leave after that :(
Couple of years ago we heard of two girls that had done some farm worker. After working on the farm for three months, they were dismissed and paid their wages. But the farmer deducted accommodation expenses, a paid them each about $350 for three months work!! We accommodated them for a week and gave them $1000 each to get going again,and make up for the disgraceful treatment by the farmer. We feel nothing for farmers whining they can't get pickers or other seasonal workers. Treat people right you won't have a problem.
The same happened to us, farming in 2010... our accommodation in a dorm in an abandoned abattoir was $200 - more than i was paying in Manly NSW for a room at that time! Every Friday the farmer would pay us around $250 and subtract $200 accommodation - leaving us with barely anything to do our groceries with. He would also adjust the prices of the rows of trees based on how fast we were working on them so he never had to pay us more than the $50...some girls actually had to pay the farmer! As they didnt work hard enough. Also he would call us f****ng m**g c***s every morning when he picked us up to work :( Girls would come to the farm and leave crying a few days later.... it was horrible.
My friend I just sent your video to the Australian Minister for Immigration and suggested he apologise to you for the harms his predecessors in the office exposed you to. Yours is a well researched and documented problem. It’s well known that this kind of industrial abuse is common place in Australia. Unfortunately we’ve had years of red necks and their lobbyists running this country. It was a great video btw.
Australia is a country where no matter what job you do you are at risk of being abused by your coworkers/boss, sometimes its best to tough it out, other times you need to pay attention to the warning signs and move on. Sometimes when you get hired by a business you will notice that most of the employees are fairly new or the business is understaffed, this is because the old employees all got the shits and left. For many people life in Australia is hard, but for others like people in specific trades or with a niche skill and lots of experience life tends to be pretty easy.
What a pack of lies...Australia has some of the toughest work relationship laws in the world. Perhaps you should move to the US where workers are less protected?
Undoubtedlyso is telling the truth. Aussie bosses, and esp the co-workers are most disrespectful & nasty and gang up on other workers who may be newer additions there. Workers are very cliquey & may never accept someone in their circle. The spitefulness I suffered in Melbourne working as an office girl left me scarred. Years on, I worked on my own & I was far better off. Remember, ppl who come here are not used to the abuse ppl put up with here. It is psychologically scarring to be screamed at by bosses & co-workers too. This is NOT NORMAL. You can contact any org you like with your complaint, but you'd be wasting your time as nothing gets done about it. You can find another job, but aggressive co-workers & bosses are everywhere.
@@kerryryan5116 doesn't mean that these rules are easily enforced or respected. Abusive bosses will always overlay their interpretation. Regulatory bodies seems mostly impotent.
As an Australian born and raised in Sydney city, I’m sorry you had to put up with aggressive farmers. There are so many stories of working tourists being treated like dirt by farmers. The entire labour force in Australia is filled with aggressive people who feel like screaming and shouting at people turns them into better workers.
I don't understand why such a large part of our culture is so nasty. This isn't just exclusive to farms... I experienced it working at a supermarket as a kid/young adults, I hear about the same shit from every tradie, I hear about it from chefs. We just have a nasty culture... spose you could chalk it up to the fact that we descend from criminals, but that's no excuse. I really wish we had more compassion as a whole... We're such a privileged country, but we squander it because of a handful of cultural norms. That nasty, hater sentiment is rife. We're also extremely adverse to progress and change. Like we produce so much skill, many people come up with so many ideas for inventions and businesses but our venture capitalists only invest in ore and housing for the most part. No one wants to take any chances because they're so allergic to change and innovation. Allasian for instance, we lost them to the USA. They could've put us on the map in the tech world and would've been amazing for our economy. We need to incentivise people to invest in industries which aren't just mining and housing. There's so much we could do in the energy sector, also I.T. - Like anything tech related is where you'd be wanting to focus your incentives if you're a smart policy maker.
I think Australia is summed up by the saying "hard times produce strong men, strong men produce good times, good times produce weak men. There is no real adversity now in Australia, most avoided it and the lack of suffering produces a lack of compassion.
I'm Australian and as someone who had zero money I also decided to do the Australia backpacker farm thing and I saw a lot going on out on the farms that was hard to believe, it's another world out there.
I use to clean the backpackers accommodation it was pretty rough I must say that's in Victoria but the bosses are lovely noy like the banana farms and no crazy infection
As a Kiwi living now in Australia for 33 years I think NZ should be very proud to have such a decent, caring and humble person as you. When you described your conversation with your Mum whilst in hospital, it really moved me. I wish you every happiness in NZ. I hope one day you will return to Oz. 😊
Thank you for sharing your experiences, and really feel for you, being put in that grim situation. Glad to see you've remained the charming and positive sun beam that lights up our TH-cam days!!
I live in Australia and have worked on farms. It can be a nightmare. It just depends on the farmer. So sorry for your experience. Bless you. The government should look into stuff like this. Bless ya.
I'm Aussie and I've had MRSA twice ending up in hospital for weeks at a time. This story hit home so hard - all he best bro, no one really understands how hectic it can be
I’m English, I’ve lived in Australia around 14 years…. I originally came backpacking… I can relate to so much of this…. I’ve found quite often, there is alot of dislike and hatred , frankly towards English people… people can say “it’s not true” all they like… but I’ve lived it and experienced/experience it. I’m glad you’re okay. The country needs to treat travellers better, it’s a large chunk of their tourism industry … they need to protect it!
He was not a tourist. He was ill prepared and knew nothing about Australia. Going to work in the tropics on a Qld banana farm in the wet season is about as nutty as it can be. I came to this country almost 60 years ago and I never experienced dislike or hatred. Bearing in mind that people with my ethnic background were locked up in camps during WWII. I do not include the AUS media in this. They were IMO still in the dark ages. It wasn't until the late 1980 until they reported Football results from Continental European leagues. Till the 1980 the media was so Anglo- American centric that one had the impression that the rest of the world did not exist. Whilst a lot of derogatory term existed to describe immigrants I never experienced such a term being directly said to me face to face. I may mention that at least the last 25 years no one has asked me were I was born. If you still experience dislike etc. perhaps you need to be more choosy who you associate with. You can't choose who you work with but in your private life you don't have to put up with nonsense like that.
@aimeekova I'm a Brit who lived in Sydney in the late 1990's - trust me - this anti-English thing is everywhere and never really acknowledged (to be fair they hate Asians and Americans only slightly more than they do us). I've been told things have changed in the two and a half decades since I've been there but reading all these comments I don't think anything has aprt from Australians being (slightly) more critical of their country.
That's appalling! The worst thing is....our greedy government have allowed this to happen for many, many years. It's basically slave labor, and non of these psycho farmers are ever brought to pay for their abusive ways at all. And, the main population of Australia, have no idea that this happens. They know that backpackers go work on farms, but they think it's all fun, and laughter and partying. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It's disgraceful, and it's a blight on our country.
File a criminal complaint under the modern slavery law - complain to the attorney general office (state and commonwealth), also complain to the international bodies watching for modern slavery
Australia is in Recession according to Deutsche Bank, 2 trillion dollars foreign debt so International students and these working visas are simply slave work and exploitation by scumbags Australian farmers and businesses. Overseas students and foreign workers are moving the Australian economy. A big Ponzi scheme. Glad you saw it through. I saw some comments about lodging complaints. It goes nowhere. Australia is a very corrupt country. Australia still remove Aboriginal children in mass. All hidden. Watch “In My blood it runs” documentary. Shine lawyers suing Australian Government for “modern day stolen generation “.
Just needs proper regulation. Needs inspections. Compulsory unionism would stop a lot of this. But, bullshit from Unions stopping people coming to do jobs their members won't. Just let the Pacific Islander do it. I can imagine this farmer trying that shit with some Tongans. Our agricultural sector could be way bigger if we allowed guest workers. Just need to do it properly.
I can identify with your story. I'm a Kiwi and was picking vegies up in FNQ. The owner of the place ripped me off. Next thing I knew, all of the workers packed up and walked off. Irish, Scottish, English and Kiwis. Solidarity in friendship. That was about 1990. Workers rights haven't changed much since then, unfortunately.
That's appalling of course. The only thing missing is an old fashioned picket line, and SCABS getting bussed in by the bosses, a la "When The Boat Comes In." 😅
I’m Australian, 54 years old, and I can remember jackarooing out longreach and Windorah way, treated like shit carting timber fence post on my shoulder outer the scrub, been ripped off more than a few times, they tell you your useless so you don’t leave, killing the confidence of young bloke that still effects me today. Always full of self doubt. Yes they are not all like that, but a lot are. I have had great bosses as well. But one good thing that come out of, I never tell a kid they can’t do anything, always encourage them to keep trying, and I’m a better dad for it.
As an Australian who has had to literally rescue backpackers from a banana farmer who was abusive and assaulting them.. I know what you're talking about. Some of those farmers are sadists getting off on a power trip. It's really important to report those operators because they are actually abusive. Backpackers have committed suicide because they've felt trapped on these farms. Stay away from farm work.. There are other options now. You don't have to do farm work. You can do mining which is very regulated.
Hey mate sorry to hear about your experience. It's unfortunate no one warned you about the tropics. Unless you are born there or are from Indonesia or another tropical area, the body takes a massive hit. For any backpackers from Europe/UK I'd recommend finding a dairy farm in Victoria or Tasmania.
@@tropicaussie4572 Infection can happen easily in a tropical climate. The bed bugs situation can happen anywhere but piled on top...a clusterf*k of a situation. truly sorry again.
I’m a doctor working in compensation in Aus. I hope you consulted a lawyer (it should be covered by work insurance) about a lump sum payment for that work injury, or at least took the farmer to court for the abusive behaviour. I’ve never met anyone so horrible or even heard of it! This is not normal. Neither are bed bugs, that’s such terrible luck! Stay at a luxury hotel next trip!! Most Aussies are fine (from a NZ who lives here).
You're right. He should be eligible to a work injury compensation claim. Some years have passed now, so not sure how that might affect matters, but temp working VISA workers have more entitlements than what's commonly known.
Let’s be real. There’s no support anywhere here. The entire system is corrupt from the top down. So many people take their lives because of the hell work cover subjects them to.
If it indeed was the case, you have to make a claim within 3 years, and you have to be able to prove it. A dramatised winge on YT doesn't cut it. You can be an overcomer or a victim, it's all lifes lessons, we live and learn.
In 2002 I worked on a tobacco farm near Bright, Victoria for 3 months. It was owned by an Italian family, Angelo and Pat were the father and son. They were fantastic, we drank grappa every morning, made us pizzas, went shooting deer. Had a great time, will never forget it
Sadly most (if not all) the tobacco farms in that part of Victoria are gone now. Some of them have been replaced by hops growing. Bright is truly stunning in Autumn and a very popular holiday destination for Melburnians.
What a story! As an Australian, I'm sorry to hear that you had a tough time on the banana farm. Kudos to you that you remained so positive and upbeat throughout all of your experiences.
I'm 57 now used to pick fruit and veg when I was younger. Worked my butt off but the wages were so low I had to supplement it with benefits just to get by. By the sounds of it it hasn't changed. Most Aussie farmers pay very low wages often below minimum. I'm Australian
Im an Aussie and live in North Queensland. I worked on the mango farms in NQ 25 years ago, and it was hard work back then, except the pay was good back then. You're right, its intense work and I wouldnt recommend it to anyone actually. My daughter also nearly died from a staf infection in her bone. She had 2 operations to save her life, she was 7 years old. Ive also received care at that Innisfail hospital! So i guess Im telling you all this, cause I know about some of the things you went through, and Im really sorry you went through any of it. Sounds horrendous! Im glad all that is behind you! Its stupid we are putting travellers through this. Im really sorry. Good on you for sharing your experience. How that farmer treated you was bloody wrong. From an Aussie.
I used to work with English and Irish backpackers in Labour Hire. We did the worst and the illegal jobs at construction. Jobs the building companies would not put their own workers through. We had Aussies, New Zealanders and even Islanders, here and there. Some privileged people say - Australians are lazy, there should not be any benefits paid, because there are jobs for everybody. Yes there are about a billion third world jobs in Australia waiting to get filled. There is no bottom at how low one can go. I usually tell those people to try doing some hard yakka before lecturing the public.
@@AD-fq9ir, please explain re racist attitudes of some Australians ? Unfortunately we do have our fare share of Racist A......holes but in this instance I fail to see we're that fits in here ? Regards 🦘🇦🇺🪃 FNQ
@@chriswilson8757 you being English will not get it, try getting locks for wearing burkas, or redneck Aussies not letting you park, Australia doesn't like or respect foreigners very much like Japan its a fact.
My teacher and his brother have both been backpacking at australia. Me teacher said that i should NEVER EVER try to work in banana, mango and pepper plantations because of bad farm conditions, dunno about the mango and capsaicin from the peppers.
Young people in a foreign country on an isolated farm are easy prey. Because they soon leave and don't have funds to sue, they are likely to be grateful the abuse is behind them and move on with their lives. Their stories won't be heard so the abusers can just be nasty to the next batch if victims. The internet may change all this. Your story is harrowing and will help to warn others. So glad you survived!
@@rossevans1774 How naive. The farmer knows exactly who he is hiring and he does it to take advantage of mostly young, inexperienced people who will put up with anything to earn their visas and work for peanuts.
I followed the blog of a young couple who spent 2 years travelling around the world. Australia was one of the places they visited. The young woman got a job working at horse stables in a very isolated rural area, the owner of the place wasn't interested in hiring her partner who got himself a job elsewhere. The woman was really keen on the job as the owner had promised her free riding lessons. He made her work extremely long hours mucking the stables and started to act inappropriately. Her partner dropped in to see her, the owner wouldn't let them spend time together (he gave the guy a 'job' mending the fence in a distant field, even though he was just visiting for the weekend) and wouldn't let them spend the night together, because he didn't want them to have sex at his place! The result: the young woman ran away from the farm with her boyfriend at the end of the weekend. She was a bit unsure as to the intentions of the farmer, but her partner was adamant that he wanted to f*** her and that it wasn't safe for her to stay there another week. All in all, she spent 2 weeks there.
I was hospitalized for 31/2 months for MRSA sepsis. I’ve made a full recovery, but it took about 3 years before I felt normal again. I almost had my leg amputated. Glad you’re ok!
I know a travel nurse who was treated poorly whilst she was in Sydney for 6 weeks. Yes travel nurses get free accommodations but she was sent in a hospital accommodation without heating/cooling during extreme weather! She had to endure cold nights in a tiny room and fell sick to the point she was hospitalised for 3 days with pneumonia due to poor living condition whilst working long hours in a busy understaffed hospital. She reported this formally but she was only given a small heater that is not safe for long usage so no point running it overnight! These are horrible stories untold until now. She is on working visa as well. I feel bad about how some non citizens are treated like this and get abused but are so hard working to help our country! Sad that it is happening here in Australia but this happens to other countries as well :(
I love your tale of the prikish Innisfail banana farmers (I live down the road in Townsville). The truth is, is that there is absolutely no need for them to behave like that towards their laborers, and they only do it because they have gotten away with it over the years. The covid pandemic was a time of reckoning for them, because the backpacker labor force disappeared, and no Australians wanted to come and work for them. I was getting all these job notifications telling me how great it was to come out and work in 'harvesting', the government was actually paying people to go out there, and farmers were having to recruit among students and grey nomads to fill the void.
As an Aussie I am upset that there are people in this country who treat workers like that. I wish our government would do more to target businesses who abuse their workers and to make it easier for workers who are being abused to make a complaint to the authorities (including being protected from visa penalties if they come forward and blow the whistle)
There are many stories like this. If you want to work on a farm in Australia, stay away from Rizzato's orchards in Stanthorpe. They will make you stay in their own accommodation and pay a fortune for it as well as pay for transport to and from the workplace and treat you like shit.
@@patkelly6349 Yes. Write to whoever makes this rules system for backpackers. Get a petition Next one might die and that's bad 🌎 wide press for an otherwise great country. ❤ Australia ❤
I first lived in Auckland and then in Sydney. I have a New Zealand passport but am not New Zealand born Professionally I’m a psychiatrist. I’m pleased you are able to share your story as a narrative. The traumas you experienced are severe. I’d be surprised if you didn’t experience PTSD. I used to consult on medical and surgical wards at the hospital I worked at in north Sydney. Both the cellulitis and the staph infection could have killed you. Let alone the abscess on your back. Horrible horrible to hear of this terrible time in your life. I’m pleased to hear that you sound happily settled in the beautiful Wellington. I need not tell you to simply take care/ look after yourself. May you never have to experience such traumas again. And thank you for also remembering to thank the medical and nursing staff. As a doctor I always express my thanks and praise to the nursing staff without whom we could not operate hospitals effectively. Thank you for your channel and your uploads.
This seems to happen to many who travel to Australia. I think most of it is caused by a lack of hygiene. No one in their right mind would stay at a backpackers, -4 star accommodation, as it is rife with diseases from all over the world. Sorry this happened to you, but I have travelled Australia, from Townsville to Melbourne, drove across the Nullarbor, to Perth, where I worked along the way and lived in several placed, but NEVER stay at backpackers and ALWAYS travelled with antiseptic creams and soap. Keep clean, eat well and remain healthy.
Australian here, I stayed at backpacker hostels, most English shower once each week, Saturday morning usually. Many do not shower for weeks. I was surprised! I shower daily, I know plenty of Australians who shower twice daily.
@@cranegantry868Yeah man, I feel like shit if I don't have at least 1 shower a day. I guess because they're from a colder climate they don't sweat as much but still, sweat isn't the only thing that makes us dirty
Well, more precisely, the moral of the story is not don't go to Australia but rather don't work an on Australian farm. Thanks for the tip, bro. Glad you're okay.
don't work for farmers - crooked people living in a bubble - they have a certain look, they dress a certain way, the big hat spells trouble. Hello Barnaby Joyce.
I went to Australia to teach , on a teacher Commonwealth exchange. My experience was hellish. Within a week of arriving in Australia, after exchanging my house in Scotland for the Australian teacher’s home, I was. Told “This house is up for sale. You have to get out” . This was the man friend of the lady teacher. My wife and one year old child spent three months trying to find accommodation. To our horror, the school where I taught thought our difficulty was none of their concern. We were so glad to return home after six months of uncertainty, not knowing which piece of accommodation we would find, and which had to be paid. My advice : Go to Australia for a holiday, if you have friends there. Keep in mind : if you come upon bad times, and have no one - you will suffer !
Unbelievable!!! They really don't appreciate teachers here! I'm not one , but u vaccinated teachers were stood down....now they can come back ( if they still want to), but get paid less than a regular teachers wage for doing so.
WE ALL SUFFER CAUSE THE GOVERNMEBT MAKES AUSSIES HOMELESS AND PEOPLE FROM OVERSEAS ARE BUYING THEM IR BEUNGING THEIR FAMILY TO MOVE IN. WHAT U EXPERIENCED WAS THE PEOPLE FIGHTING BACK. SORRY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE.
@@LilaBear , the accommodation was reciprocated by both teachers. Paperwork was signed to make the teacher exchange run smoothly . The teacher coming to my school in Scotland , on arrival, said she wasn’t interested in my accommodation(after completing the documents to confirm that she is moving into my home, and likewise my wife and I into her home in Australia).
I worked on a lot of different farms during my WHV in Australia and I have 0 positive experiences. I've been mistreated and underpaid. I worked in the field under the pouring rain and then had to spend the afternoon packing, without being able to get changed (in South Queensland in winter). I worked on a farm in which we were paid to pick zucchini by bucket, and there was no zucchini in the field, I made $7 in an hour before telling them to f*ck off. And I have millions of stories like this. Now I'm an Australian citizen and I would never ever go back to work on a farm. I feel bad for the backpackers who have to go through this.
Your story TravellingNowhereFast is as horrendous as the guy above. I'm Aussie. Just to balance these stories two things - i.)Resident decades in The U.K. I've experienced horrendous abuse working for U.K. employers - but also in Melbourne (my home town). It saddens and disgusts me. Growing up in Australia an ethos of a 'fair go' for everyone - regardless of race or creed - permeated the country. It wasn't perfect - but no place ever is. We made the effort to get as close as we could to it - and felt national pride doing so. It wasn't a myth. We really did feel we were 'the lucky country' - particularly those of us who had parents immigrant from nations not as fortunate. You'd have been in Australia long enough (if you've got citizenship) to know most of us still hold to those principles. Not only are they important to us - they're very real. Unscrupulous - abusive - and dishonest people (unfortunately) exist among any otherwise decent folk. Human nature being what it is - with its' faults and deficits. I'm sorry likewise if you had to experience something similar this poor guy. I'm sure you won't tar us all with the same brush - and take the positives from us. We honestly do try. ii.) Sometimes it works against us here in The U.K. - and we have experiences approaching yours. It's also worth noting we can - and sometimes do - experience the same bad treatment our own country as you have. I know I have. On behalf of the majority - the best of us - I apologise for the minority. Were it up to me I'd revoke THEIR citizenship. Stick with us.
That's the plight of thousands of backpackers, foreign students and workers they will put up with sh.t to become an Australian citizen. That's why the abuse continues. If you and everyone who went through this petitioned the government, this might end.
@@younghanrahan thank you for your answer! I love Australia, and I know there are many awesome people here. Unfortunately a few bad apples ruin it. And it seems very common to mistreat the immigrants, in every country. I still believe that working in Australia is much better than it will ever be in Italy. Most farmers are a shame to the Australian values though.
@@daintree98 unfortunately people go through this because they don’t know any better, or they can’t speak English well enough to stand up for themself. Even if everyone petition the government, they will never remove the 88 days rule, because australians would never work in the farms (which is fair enough)
@@TravellingNowhereFast Most Australians haven't got a clue where their fresh food on the grocery shelf comes from. 90% of Australians are city slickers and their idea of a holiday is catching a plane to an overseas destination, eg Bali. At present there is no incentive to travel 100's or 1000's kilometres around the outback to work as a farm labourer. Very few children grow up on a farm these days and most children of the rich cockies go off to boarding school in the cities and never return to the farm. But if the government gave an incentive to High School leavers, say an extra 10% on their HSC if they did 88 days of labouring work on a farm, I believe there would be a flood applicants. Even if they had to spend a year or two farming, they would line up in their thousands. Farming is a very difficult business and must compete with overseas imports. China and South America could supply all the fruit and veggies at cheaper prices if not for quarantine. The days of backpackers working on farms are numbered as more and more Pacific Islanders are happy to do the heavy farm work and go back to their village wealthy.
@@aussiehillbilly Mostly it's the farmer who owns the farm, his family members or direct employees (like a foreman) who set the cracking work pace and deny breaks and entitlements. Not foreign companies.
Glad to know that you have a good life now. My husband had been working in 5 different companies for 25 years in Australia. Fortunately he 'd neverr been bullied by anyone at his offices. Instead, he often said how respectful his colleagues were toward each others.
I am married to an Australian whom lived with me for many years in Canada.. we have moved to Australia and as an older person I am shocked at all of the bullying and harrassment by bosses and business owners have towards their employees.. I joined the SES and a few social clubs and even in the volunteer and social clubs bullying of those you supervise is very common and I feel part of the culture.. This disrespect is common in politics and even in professional and amateur sports.. Australia is a beautiful country but the bully culture is not so great.
About 25 years ago, I met an Australian man who had moved to America. When I asked him why he moved, he told me he wanted to get away from the Australian "pecking order" behavior. He also wanted to get away from what he called the "tall poppy syndrome" in Australia. He said in Australia, you can be successful, but not "too" successful. Once a person reaches a certain level of success, he said the public and press will turn on you as if to say, "Who do you think you are to be so much better than the rest of us?" He said the unjust criticism is what cuts the "tall poppy" down to size so it's back in line with everyone else. He said he was tired of that kind of cultural resentment of success and wanted to be in America where the success of others is not seen as a threat but celebrated and used as an inspiration for one's own success. I never knew Australia had that kind of resentment of success and bullying attitude running through their culture.
@@L1623VP Sounds like nonsense to me and live here in Sydney was born here. If this "tall poppy syndrome" stil existed do you think we'd be acting like a 51st state of the UsA with the same celebrity cringe culture e.g when Taylor Swift come here the mainstream mass couldnt stop going on about and she's american as apple pie. If there was tall poppy sydrome then no one would brown nose celebrities either because celebrities are seen as the ultimate level of acheivement and income in western society. Many celebrities in Australia get the same hero worship they do anywhere if not more so, including those like Elon Musk.
@L1623VP A Class based pecking order exists i assure you Australia has elite private schools and elite universities by our own standards to prove it, elite enough for large portion of asia to pay big bucks to come and study on our campuses anyway.
First off, I'm sorry to hear about your experience and your treatment at the hands of my fellow Queenslanders. Aussie here, born and raised in Brisbane Queensland, blue collar worker my entire 20+ years in the work force and I'd never do rural farm work. . For what the work demands and what they pay is it's disgusting and nothing short of exploitation. As we saw during Covid, when all the cheap backpacker labour was shut down due to the covid restrictions and lock downs, they all of a sudden couldn't get workers to slave around on their farms because no Aussie or anyone who wasn't chasing their second year working VISA will do that work in the POW conditions for the money. So I have no respect or sympathy for the scab farms out there. Not every farm is horrible like that, but it's a total crap shoot if one will score a good one. average one, or hell. An English friend of mine managed to score her rural time working at a remote hotel, so she avoided the farms all together. This would be my recommendation for anyone chasing their 2nd year working VISA. On the other hand, I'm very proud of my country and the high standard of medical care we are able to provide a tourist on a temp working VISA at little expense to them.
Agree with you totally. I would tell tourists to steer clear of farm work if they can, and even go to hospitality (which can also be exploitative, particularly if dealing with ex 3rd world Chinese or Indian bosses). Rural politicians (more right wingers like the National Party) love the existing system and their exploitative farmer donors, and have a lot of power in that country as they tend to win most of the rural elections.
@@Threadbow Reciprocal health care arrangements between first world countries with similar social health care systems are a fantastic thing! It means visitors from countries with good systems can be assured of decent healthcare when they travel. But it will always be unavailable if you are coming from places like India: in that case, costly 1st world insurance policies are required (and usually on visa stipulations) and it can get very expensive, because you can't compare their health care systems.
I’m extremely saddened to hear of your unfortunate ordeal in Australia 😪😪😪 I’m most glad and happy for your full recover brother 🤗🤗 GOD bless and protect you from all ill 🤲🏻🤲🏻🪷
There’s a lot of abuse in England too….but its all stealthily done…so its difficult to prove…you dont really get gross abuse like has just been explained..since very long ago…but ive left jobs because of outright rudeness in England..it must go on all over the world……
Ive never heard of this. You are doing a great service to travellers in Australia.. They need to know about these goings on and the farmers need their behaviour to become well known and to be honest they do not deserve the help they are getting. Thank you for the video.
After living in Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, for 5 yrs. I left. On the way back to the US, the ship stopped in NZ at around 6 am. We had a few hours and I went for a walk in Aukland. (You could do that without a visa in 1969) Everyone I passed on the street said "Good morning." Never happened in Australia. The New Zealanders I've met were the friendliest people I've ever known. If I could afford to live there I would.
It depends on where you are. People on the northern beaches are still automatically friendly but that’s a pretty isolated area. I can’t talk for other cities but the rest of Sydney is pretty stressed out and you’ll find people only acknowledge those they know.
Wow. I'm an Australian citizen, 64 years old, I'm never going to touch another banana again. The first job I had at age 18 (I migrated in '71 with my family from Sri Lanka) was in a health food factory - muesli, nuts, dried fruit - and this Aussie supervisor , he really broke my spirit. It took me decades to recover. I did that job for a couple of years, then I started working in sales companies, in the office, and did I run into a lot of needless, unjustifiable abuse. It was just the Aussie style, but I hated it. It's like gratuitous violence. I wasn't doing anything wrong at my job. The customers were happy with me. I got on well with my co-workers. A bad experience is a bad experience. The only thing you learn from it , is don't let it happen again. I still struggle with my nerves , with anxiety , but I get over it without resorting to medication. Merry Christmas , thanks for the video , and I'm sorry they treated you badly .
I totally agree with your statement about doctors and nurses I was in hospital for 5 weeks after having a cyst removed from my brain and I now have a total appreciation for the work they do especially nurses they have to do some pretty gross stuff but do it with a smile. Very special people that’s for sure
Only for surgery and Emergency. Most surgeries are scams to male money for surgeons. Doctors, aside from necessary surgery and emergency, are just pill and unnecessary injection pushers.
I lived in Sydney and Central Coast some years ago, all very nice, especially the harbour. Apart from all the things that can kill you, I found so many things that were hard to deal with, primarily the extremes of everything, the heat, and the prices. Not wanting to be labelled a 'whinger', (being a Brit that name is conferred on you before you even open your mouth!), I headed back home. Now I am 'at peace', it's not perfect for some, but I function so much better here .. perhaps you should give it a go. Many young Australians arrive in London, head for Covent Garden and basically never leave, well the country that but you know what I mean. I hope you find your happy place 🙋♀️🏴🤗
Great story man. I spent 21 years in Far North Queensland and the reputation of the farmers is well known. They are known to me as 'C. Hunts' wherein the H is silent, and the period is unnecessary.
In defence of farmers and to put forth the other side of the story, they provided work and pay and if they caused unlawful abuse the Australian legal system is the best int the world, this guy was free to leave obviously. Theres some amazingly good and kind farmers too, and many unlawful acts have been comitted by backpackers. So it goes both ways. I think this story makes all farmers out to be bad and that's a stereotypical falsehood, without them you don't eat. I'd rather work on a farm in sunny Australia with Australian generational farmers than in some poo hole country where you would no doubt have something to regret on the first day, not 5.5 weeks later when you've given yourself backpacker alcahol poisining or what have you.
Seems correct. From my experience the most c hunts are from sydney and adelaide. I can agree that Australia is sadly no longer a nation where you can build wealth and get ahead because somebody is always trying to screw you over here. As soon as you get off govt payments and into permanent employment you can't get access to affordable medical or dental treatment. Private health insurance is way too expensive here for single people so how can anyone build a good lifestyle here god knows.
I'm a local and I have to say it's a national sport this sort of thing. *Never respect people that command it. Respect is earned. Self confidence is a good counter to this sort of thing. The way to deal with people like this is to stare them straight in the eye and say something like, "Go to hell you nobody. Who do you think you are, Nobody?" When they respond, you have to stay calm and respond slightly arrogantly pointing your chin at them and looking over or down your nose, "So it's fine when you're dishing it out is it?" Treat them like a child, by saying, "No I'm not playing this stupid game, do you want me to keep working or am I leaving - let's work this out now, staying or going make your mind up, I need an answer now?" The thing is, they need you bad. You have the power not them. All they're doing is playing power games with you because they can. You have to stop them quickly and clearly and in front of other workers if possible. Remember power is like a see-saw. If one tries to unbalance it in the workplace you need to quickly and decisively rebalance. *Never ever jump when they say jump if it is an unreasonable request. The moment you jump to an unreasonable request you will never gain your power back. You've lost it and with it any hope of happiness in that workplace. Your employer has his/her see-saw end on the ground with you up in the air and you just allowed it to happen. Unfortunately people like this inhabit every crack in society in this country. It's called narcissism personality disorder, where they see the workplace rules not applying to them. You see it more in rural areas than cities for sure, just because these types are more visible. In cities they blend in. I'm a truckie. At a rural location I was screamed at to move a rolled up 15m long 350kg wet canvas tarp, which was impossible by myself. I said calmly, "Either come over and help me or get a forklift." You see it wasn't my tarp, it was theirs, only I had used it on their trailer carting product for them. I folded it up as instructed but couldn't move it as it is far too heavy for one man to move on his own. I told them it was wet and it needed airing but they told me to do as I was told. Fair enough. I folded it up and after that, that was when the trouble started because they told me to move it 30m across a warehouse on my own. After the aforementioned suggestions of help or a forklift, I just said, "No, that is an unreasonable request and I refuse." Then the screaming, the ranting the raving. They threatened the supervisor. I said, "Yep you better get him but I still won't move it - just so you know." He came out told me to move it, I explained, he didn't listen then I said, "No," then the branch manager - same story and I repeated, "No." At the end they're all standing there opposite me. I can see they're at a loss of how to deal with me (since it isn't about the tarp). I couldn't resist and taunted them all by saying very calmly and with a smile on my face (I'm taking the piss but they're too arrogant to understand), "Look it's like this, you can take me to the High Court of Australia and if they tell me to move the tarp I still won't move it. Ring my boss, ring the police, do whatever you have to do and I still won't move the tarp. Get me sacked I really don't mind in fact I couldn't care less." (which is true because there's a severe shortage of truck drivers). 18 months later the bloody tarp is still sitting exactly where I rolled it up. Replacement cost for that tarp might be $8-$12,000. It will be rotted. I don't care it's not my tarp. My boss doesn't care either. I still go there and never have any trouble, in fact they get me in and out quickly. This is how you have to be.
Good to see comments that support your Endurance, that you still maintain that Stiff upper lip, stayed calm and carried on is CREDIT to you and your race ,unbelievable 😮😮😮😮
There is definitely a bit of a bullying, sadistic underbelly in some Aussie communities. You have a great attitude to what happened to you. I would be far less forgiving and I live in Melbourne.
Some? That trait is marbled throughout the native white population. Once a penal colony; now a police state. They proved it by voting in a certain John Howard, an odious little bigot if ever there was one; 4 times.. . .
Im an English/ Australian Teacher!.We were camping in Apple country in Western Australia.I spoke to lots of young naive students wanting to travel Australia but the price was a HARD (Slave )labour picking fruit day after day ! Most had stories of bullying exploitation and dishonest GREEDY farmers. Think twice peeps .. Character building it is NOT😡🇦🇺
One thing I learned in my 74 years on earth is to never accept abuse from anyone even an employer, even someone with power over you. As a mother and a grandmother, your story touched my heart. Sending you healing vibes from hawaii. Aloha
I remember a few years back-the politicians complaining about the unemployed and wanting them to go out on farms for 3-6 mths. I thought to myself, I wouldn't go, and I wouldn't let my kids go either. [having heard some horrible stories of mistreatment]
What a series of events in Australia! As an Australian was so sad to hear about the banana farm episode and your health issues. It for a long times seems that some farmers have been exploiting tourists and getting away with it. There needs to be a board for tourists on visas to report to and expose farms for unfair treatment, conditions and abuse. And it needs to be taken seriously. Sounds like some farm owners are not conforming to fair conditions such as a safe workplace, harassment and abusive treatment of workers. This needs to be investigated immediately and a questionnaire filled in by each worker on their experience, treatment and conditions at the particular farm of employment. Glad you are happy in New Zealand it looks like gods country by the pictures I have seen and would love to visit and learn about the Maori culture.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. So glad you’re doing better. I contacted MRSA from a prison that I worked at but much better today. ANYTIME you ever get cut on a farm you should immediately go to see a doctor because the knife that cut you is most likely crawling with diseases.
If a person gets cut, it's very important to see a doctor right away. Here in America, a person usually gets a Tetanus injection and put on an antibiotic.
Man you have been through a lot, you're a talented storyteller and you kept us engaged with your story. Unfortunately, some of the temporary visa holders fall for some bad employers who abuse their situation and need to extend their visas. Australia as a country is an amazing place and I have been lucky to move here 8 years ago with a PR visa. As for your story, you were meant to end up in New Zealand and it seems to be the right place for you at this time.
Oh man! I’m so sorry about your experience! I’m a farmer in Victoria. If you ever want to have a good farming experience in Australia, with no nasty tropical illnesses no abusive people, you’re welcome down here, there are loads of nice farms here. Beef, lamb and grains primarily down here, no bananas.
@@petermurdoch7540 who wiped it out? I’m none too sure what you mean. But it’s amazing that you’ve mentioned that species, there is some only metres from where I am right at this moment. As we speak I’m at Portland Aluminium which is a part of the ANPC orchid conservation program, and we have spider orchids here, part of the program. As a regenerative agricultural farmer this sort of thing is what I do. As do many of the farmers here.
I'm from Australia and live in Innisfail. I'm SO SO sorry for the experience you had. We appreciate all the backpackers and Islanders who come to help pick bananas. It is a rough job and hard work. Injuries are common, unfortunately. I hope it wasn't all horrible and you were able to explore some of what this beautiful place has to offer.
This is honestly disgusting, as a local, im really sorry that this was your experience in australia, weird that there are bed bugs in melbourne, over my 13 years if living, ive never seen any, i hope you never have experiences like this ever again in your life
The Australian culture in the workplace is vulgar!! Too much bullying, intimidation tactics, and aggressive verbal behaviour 🧐 It is disgraceful. People in positions of power THINK this is professional. Its not. This mentality is everywhere and everywhere everyone gets away with it. Lying through their lies. I LOVE working with other cultures...they are approachable and respectful 🙏🤗
This is a late comment, but as a member of staff at RMH, thank you! It’s an organisation the size of a country town, so not everyone is always amazing all the time, but I am proud of the general ethos and genuine care for patients 😊 With regards to the painkiller thing, I would note that in my experience working alongside doctors and as a patient, most of them don’t prescribe heavy painkillers unless absolutely called for. But what you went through was genuinely scary, painful, and extreme, so you got the big guns. The difference between here and the UK (which I lived in for a couple of years and had as lot of experience in that time with the NHS) is that once you get to the worryingly painful threshold they automatically start tending to the pain proportionately, but then scale back as soon as possible. In the nhs I found there was a greater hesitancy with providing any pain relief of analgesia at all, not just because of the opioid crisis (which, fair -it’s a concern here too) but also a sense of cost saving as well (eg gastroscopies performed with patients awake and no sedation)
I must reply to you re. the NHS. I am 86 yrs old and have had a lot of ops. Two knees, two hips, hysterectomy, bowel op for diverticulosis, toe ops for arthritis and am just about to have a heart valve repair, keyhole. Every time they have almost pressed me to take pain killers and have always been very generous with them. I do not think they try to save money on pain killers. I was given morphine to take home which I did not really need so I really do have to dispute what you say.
I'm appalled to hear of this and am very sorry your experience in my country was so horrific. I hope you are doing better now and am glad you found a good life in NZ. Live well!
My sister and her partner ran a pub in Innisfail. She is a total bitch and I know they treated the backpackers that worked and stayed at the Pub like crap. I clicked on your video thinking that maybe you had a run in with the witch of the North. Quite believable that the farmer was a tool bag. They inherit these properties and most of them are clueless. I am glad that the Medicos took good care of you. New Zealand is indeed a beautiful place. I sometimes miss Australia but stories like this make me sad to be an Aussie. Good luck with all the you are out to achieve.
Wow, glad to have you on our side of the Tasman! The main reason why I am self employed is that I worked for years for abusive and narcissistic people ; Never again. No one deserves to be in a place where they are treated poorly. Hope you have a long and happy life here 😃😃😃😃
100% well said!! In my experience, I've suffered work bullying & it includes when you do jobs you aren't paid for too sadly.. I'm now self employed too & very happy - I tried starting jobs working for others but it never worked out so being self-employed does ❤️😊
You are wise not to return to Australia...see the attitude of courtneymacgregor, criminologist degree, country girl from a west queensland farming family, an investigator...quit, lives on the beac...farming too hard for her
@@Kevin-x9g2b 100% agree, people with degrees & say they've grown up on a farm don't necessarily know what it's like as other people who've actually worked on a farm?
Canadian here, I spent 18 months in Australia and became a resident of Aotearoa where I was for two years. I lived in a small town north of Christchurch called Rangiora. The two years I was in NZ are to date the happiest of my life. I slept like a baby, quit smoking, drinking and most importantly I quit worrying about my position in the rat race. I loved Australia but New Zealand had an extremely calming effect on me. It was the first time in my life that I knew I was going to be okay in life. The scenery and wildlife is amazing but it's the people of NZ that made me enamoured of it. I returned to Canada for what was supposedly a temporary visit to confirm to my family I was going to remain in NZ but... I miss it once a day, every day.
My Kiwi wife and myself (Canadian) have been watching your vids for a while now. I think this one is my favourite of the lot. You really do have a way with the craft of storytelling. Fwiw (and you probably already know this), once you get NZ citizenship, you'll have more flexibility with options in Aus. Not that I'm suggesting you leave the lovely NZ :)
What a crazy chaotic story Curls .. So glad you made it through in the end, and are happily enjoying our NZ way of life down under. We are thrilled to have you here, love the video content and the way you tell the stories.
good news, due to covid and the government closing the boarders and all the slave labor (i mean backpackers) going home, the fruit farming industry struggled to get workers the farmers asked for government handouts and the media shed light on their dodgy practices, now farmers are forced to pay minimum wage. i'm australian spent 3 days in 40 degree heat dressed head to toa climbing ladders picking pears for 12 hours a day to make 1/3rd of minimum wage, you dont even work for the farmer you work for some indian contractor guy that is hired by the farmer so the farmer pays him and he pays you. and then he charges you $20 a day to drive you to and from the farm. That whole industry can go to hell. it needs to be reformed.
0:21 I'm an Aussie, I have migrant workers. I have picked up and driven them home when their cars break down, helped them english with applications for courses, helped them move house. They are here, young and brave but exposed, it's my obligation to help and protect them. In return I get loyalty, respect, friendship and a hard day's work out of them. When I was young and travelling, others did the same for me, now it's my turn to give back. We're not all bad. Good luck mate.
Aww you're a star 😊
good on you mate, I have never had an abusive person in Innisfail, I married in south Johnstone and have lived in north Queensland for the last 50 years.
You're right, not all farmers are bad and I only wish I'd come across you when I out there working. Good on you. I appreciate the fact that you're out there being decent.
Too many employers don't understand that your way is not only the decent way, it's also the way to get the best from your employees. Respect them and they will respect you. It also makes everyone's lives better. Great to hear that you get it :)
All the best mate! Hopefully you can return to Australia one day and have a much better time of it too. Story of sheer bravery yours is 💪💪💪
As an Aussie country girl who grew up on a farm out west here in Queensland, I'm appalled and embarrassed by your story. Please know that we're not all like that. Anyone who suffers abuse by farmers, PLEASE 🙏 make a formal complaint to the authorities and put the word out and why. If they're called out officially and publicly, they'll have no seasonalworkers and their crops won't make the harvest, therefore, no money. They deserve to be punished. End of story. It's important to note that like any 'business', there are always some arseholes among many good and decent people......and there ARE many more good and decent farmers in Australia who treat seasonal workers very well. Some seasonal workers will say a particular farmer is bad, yet others will say the same farmer treated them well. While there maybe some less than desirable farmers around, there's always 2 sides to every story.
We did. My husband and I as newlyweds were working on a broadacre apple and stone fruit farm while travelling around the country. This one was in NSW. We came from agricultural backgrounds and we were no strangers to manual work. The farmer did not provide toilets while on site and expected us to go "over there". Water was provided via a dirty pipe (part of the irrigation system) and the water was bore water. Transport was via a rusty old trailer on the back of his 4WD carrying all 14 of us and he was just a ****. 40C+ heat. Four days in breaking our backs and putting up with this farmer's and his son's bs, I was like, fk this. We were then told if we left we'd not be paid. Husband had a few words and we were paid but he docked us for "leaving early". Now we're Australian. The rest of the crew were all overseas backpackers - Asia and South America mainly. We worked places in Qld, NSW and NT. A good 70% were opportunists looking to take every advantage off the agri worker (including sexually - one farmer kept sending off my husband to do fencing while I did his domestic chores and wanted me to act like the wife...it was crazy weird and we got outta there quickly) and we kept detailed notes. We lodged a detailed complaint complete with photos of the environment, conditions etc and all we got was crickets. Politicians don't care. Media outlets call us Aussies bludgers because farmers are having to "import workers" to work their farms.
Bottom line is this: you have the national romantic notion of the farmer being the hero of the nation, growing the food, feeding us all blah blah blah. It's all bs. They don't give a toss about the people, only the millions that pour in via grants, subsidies and profits. We were paid a pittance and we were docked the full tax rate. Put up with abuse, sexual innuendo and just really shitty conditions. I earned more working retail. THAT'S WHY Australians refuse to work for farmers. God only knows what foreigners experience. I shudder to think.
Yea I'm an aussie and working on farms out western Queensland was just bullying and harassment
Wow! Sorry about your experiences in the hands of brutes. Thot these evils happen only in Africa. Reminds me of how the Aboriginals, the original owners of Aussie land, were dealt with, killed and their land taken over from them, forcing those that survived to go hide in the bushes, according to stories I've heard.
@@sorchahonorine6329 WOW! These farmers are the lowest of the low! I hate that anyone had to go through what these so called MEN put them through. It's an absolute shame.
Abusive employers are all over that so called developed world. They abuse the migrants and the slaves in particular. Illegal migrant is a slave. But the governments are responsible for that. In addition governments are responsible destruction of agri markets trough subsidies what destroys agriculture around the world producing migrants.
You know we have strict workplace health and safety laws in Australia? These scumbags need to be reported. I can't stand to hear people being treated like this, absolutely sickening. Pity we don't have decent people in parliament that would take this more seriously.
The farmers sound like Mick Taylor off the movie Wolf Creek, but manage to not kill the backpackers. Nice people, not. I 100% agree with you, more farm workers need to complain to #Worksafe.
Im an Aussie and I worked fruit picking while I was road tripping and I only did it for 4 hours because I figured out I was only getting paid $4ph for picking pears. I complained about it to the proper authorities and literally nothing happened. Farms get away with it because the farmers are selling to big companies like SPC.
back packers also don't care because they only do it to satisfy their amount of days to get to stay longer. I spoke to back packers about it and they literally didn't care how much they were getting paid.
Yeah but most Aussies know that those laws often have loopholes and poor enforcement when it's out of people's line of sight.
I live in Melbourne and i remember at the start of the COVID lockdowns the farmers representatives getting on the radio and saying "we are going to have food rotting on the vine because we can't get people from overseas and we can't get Aussies to work for us".
To which there was a barrage of calls of Aussies telling him where to stick it because we all know what working for Aussie farmers are like and that maybe if they were actually paying decent wage and conditions they might get some Aussie labour once in a while.
@@milamber319 funny you mention Melbourne cause that's where I was and this was during COVID. Those farmers had workers willing to work but we just weren't willing to work for $4 an hour.
Those farms just like to cry wolf. They love getting sympathy because the government will bail them out. That's why farmers don't care about paying us properly, cause they know they will always get bailed out. It upsets me to think that this is the way our Aussie farmers act. (I know there are good farms out there because I've worked them but it's very rare you'll find a good farmer these days)
They have strict laws in Australian on health and safety, and abuse, but the problem is that under their last right wing government, influenced by the farming lobby, they were never enforced. See the hundred of articles and even comments here on this issue. There were so many of these shocking farmers that they undercut and even forced out of business the decent ones: the rules were just not applied. I hear the government is thinking of cancelling the whole visa class: there was just too much abuse in the farming industry by these wicked people who always vote in politicians (National Party) to serve their selfish interests, and bugger everyone else. Aussies won't work for these farmers because they know they will be ripped off, if not abused. Farmers need to put their prices up or be less greedy, and stop supporting lobbyists who they pay to whinge about the fact 'Aussies are lazy and won't do the work', let alone complain about fruit rotting on the vine because they want 3rd world working conditions in a 1st world country. The stories of the victims are horrific.
This sounds horrible! I'm so sorry this happened to you. You seem like a very kind, caring, and optimistic person and I hope you never endure this again. All the sickness on top of the abuse. Just awful
What a great story, and as an Aussie myself I think those banana farmers were real pricks to be treating backpackers like that. It's criminal.
Because John Howard etc have systematically undermined wages for Australian workers, and set up "working visas" to facilitate that process.
@@williamshafer3199 At any given time there are 3 million Australians working in London alone which constitutes 12% of the Australian population so it all swings in roundabouts.
I’m an Aussie too, I live in N.S.W….👍🇦🇺
Yeah, nah, the convicts just sought retribution on a pom, 200 years later.
@@karenharrison885 Karma
My husband got cellulitis and was sent to hospital for treatment . Long story short , three days later I was called to say that he had passed due to complications with his kidneys . Please take everything seriously because sometimes you might not get to go back to your loved one's. So glad you're okay now 🇦🇺
Every story is worse than the one before, I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. Doesn't even sound like Australia, BUT IT IS. Parlliament needs to be told as well as Councils and all politicians YOU MIGHT HAVE A CASE AGAINST THE HOSPITAL. SOUNDS LIKE REMDESIVIR WAS GIVEN AS IF HE WERE A COVID PATIENT. REMDESIVIR DESTROYS KIDNEYS.
I hope you're doing okay.
@infin8ee I had it and nearly lost my life it ravaged my body especially my arm and hand.
And the drugs/treatment are horrible to they make you ill on top of everything else.
I hope you’re ok 💙
@@colinsace1 I'm so sorry that you went through that but am wildly pleased that you came out the other side and are here now. All the very best for the coming year and beyond
@@infin8ee that’s so kind thank you
Wishing you a happy and better new year for you 🙂💯
Hi mate, I'm an Aussie from Brisbane and spent 6 months in Tully (north qld) banana farming. It was truly hard work, but the backpacker hostel was too much fun. The locals are unsophisticated and abusive. I quit many farms and found some nicer smaller family owned ones. Sorry to hear about your scary health problems. Glad you survived to tell your story.
EDIT: Not all the locals were unsophisticated and abusive. Some of the locals were amazing people.
One terrible experience I had was working on one farm, in which the farmer took a disliking to me. After a long, hot day working in the banana fields, I was super thirsty and asked the farmer for some drinking water, he pointed to a tap. I drank loads of the water as it was nice and cool. 24 hours later, I felt really off, started vomiting and felt like I had been hit by a bus. Went to hospital and had a stomach bug from bacteria. Was really sick for 2-3 days. The farmer knew too well that tap was straight from the creek/river. Bastard made me sick. The reason he took a disliking to me was because he was talking about one of the British girls on the farm, really dirty, and I would not engage in his disgusting conversation, I'm a gentlemen when it comes to repspecting woman. He was a dirty local and instantly disliked me for that reason. I survived, so all good in the end.
Yes, I am sure there are very few horrible Farms like he experienced. The smaller Family owned Farms are much nicer. He should report the abuse to Australian Department that actually act on these matters.
unsophisticated eh, that's being polite...
5:07
too many narcissists in queensland, as soon as they abuse you once take your leave, never put up with their shxt
@@muma6559 that’s a blanket statement. Too many dumb tourists falling for traps and men not walking away.
As an Australian, this is embarrassing and outrageous. I encourage anyone to really do their research before doing any farm work. Are there sites where travellers can discuss these experiences? Someone even mentioned sexual abuse. These criminals need to be stopped!!!
Bro I had to comment. As an Aussie who travelled around picking fruit for a few years - probably more for the backpackers than the work - I hear you. I witnessed so much abuse over the years, from farmers targeting certain guys to pick on, to sexual abuse and intimidation of the girls which was sadly very common. You brought back a lot of memories. Thanks for the story and best of luck to you mate.
I think every backpacker needs to report this. I'm so ashamed of our Australian farmers who have behaved this way!!
Glad you're okay!
@@ionejeandsilva7343 The growers are always complaining they can't get workers .
@@pepelemoko01 Yep. And calling on the government to force those "lazy dole bludgers" to work picking fruit. Not for actual pay of course. No, we'll just keep paying them the dole & call it a "training program" 😡
Cause Australian women never approach men to start a conversation.
100% of women.
So, it's not entirely men's fault things are happening.
I never knew this as an Australian. This video needs to be sent to our politicians. This is unacceptable what happened to you in our country.
You're blaming politicians for him getting a staph infection?
Point 2 - Removal of Farm Work
Previously it was a requirement to do 88 days of specified work to be able to apply for a second year visa , then 6 months of specified work for a third year visa. From July 2024 you will be able to get three separate visas with no specified work.
^ They're changing the law everyone. Hopefully old mate's story is the last one we'll have to hear. Thanks for sharing your story mate.
@@evanburrows1697 No she isn't blaming anybody - I agree that this treatment of overseas and Australian workers on fruit farms SHOULD be addressed and brought to the attention of the local and federal Government so changes can be made to improve conditions - THAT is what she is saying.
@@evanburrows1697 Only stupid person can ask that!
Please send it if you are Australian thank you
As an Australian, I am very sorry to hear this. That's terrible. I wish you all the best, mate
Although this was posted 11 months ago, I feel it's still worth sharing my personal experience in Australia. So, I am 24 years of age; I moved to Australia back in 2022 when I graduated from uni in Lebanon. I was genuinely so excited as I've been in Australia before on a holiday and fell madly in love with the people, sceneries, culture and how generally the country is. So when I moved here, I had a huge slap on my face as to how abusive and condescending my boss was (just for context: I was working in a corporate environment in Sydney). In a country where mental health is often spoken about and how important it is to be maintained, I was utterly shocked at how rough and merciless the bosses and co-workers can be. The meanness and rudeness experienced were unbelievable. I know this doesn't apply to all Aussies, but the trauma that you can develop in a foreign country where its people may fail to fathom the other different person is mind-blowing. Now, in your case you did have the choice to go back home and then head over to New Zealand, whereas mine I simply have no choice due to the daunting situation in my home country of Lebanon. To end this comment on a positive note, though, I am grateful for Australia as a country as it is my safe haven, and I only hope that things will get better with me and every grappling migrant because, truth be told, IT IS NOT EASY!
that is terrible! Did you report staff interactions to HR? and, I hope you have found a better position since then.
I worked with a few Aussies here in the US. Let's just say - it was not ideal.
Melbourne work life way less stressed than Sydney try moving cities
Move to Melbourne - a whole different cultural mindset. Many Sydneysiders almost believe they are in LA or New York and are way higher up the food chain than anyone else. I have seen this shit first hand having worked for an organisation with two main offices one in each city. A large cross section of the Sydney Office believed themselves to be our management even if they were doing the same roles. So yeah I think their water still comes in lead pipes or something.
Straight away I thought that just sounds like some Sydney bullshit. There's your first problem
You don't have to work on a farm to encounter work-place psychopaths in Australia. Very few of the many companies I've worked for had effective policies against workplace abuse or for weeding out workplace psychopaths and, if you're not prepared when you meet one of these individuals they can BS you into doing yourself all sorts of harm just for jollies. And, yes, these guys really do work hard to make the workplace as dangerous and unhealthy as possible so I'd recommend, at the minimum, reporting the farmer in question to the OH&S regulators in Queensland and see what happens.
Nothing will happen!
This what a lot of migrants in the UK and elsewhere Go through
@@jamesbanda7069 no they dont, and dont speak in the name of "a lot of migrants", you know f'all
@@jamesbanda7069 What do you mean by "migrants"? There's a very big difference between an immigrant legally entering Australia and illegal economic migrants (mostly men) pouring in from countries not at war and not suffering famine, and then expecting and getting free accommodation, healthcare, education, transport etc.
Work on the farm should not be that brutal, why people make it so hard. Why ?
I'm an Aussie, and I'm familiar with the dark side of the ever-friendly Aussie character and this describes it too a tea. Poor guy! I'm sorry on behalf of all Aussie's for the disgraceful way you were treated by those bloody, bitter and nasty farmers.
"rodriguez"...
@@someguy2972 So ?
⁶
The dark side of the ever friendly Aussie character? Way to paint an entire country! Ffs
Very likely he just wasn't up to the hard work, that's all.
Since 30 years ago, I am saying 30 YEARS AGO when I was in my early 20s at college, it's been well known how abusive it is to work at farms on Aussie working holiday visa. It includes abusive labor, and sometimes sexual abuse whether you are male or female. It seems like nothing has changed since then.
Yeah even working in Japan 20 years ago on a working holiday visa was super sketchy, I was lucky to get out alive and like you say the sexual abuse is not limited to one gender.
Aw! Terrible
what oh no. what horrible experience for the workers
Exactly.
@fenderOCG Hazing. It hardly surprises me that it goes on, all cultures indulge in some form of it.
Cost of living here is getting worse every year, just getting to and from work costs me $250 per week, food is $500 per week thankfully I don’t have a mortgage but I have family who pay upwards of $500 per week for a crappy 2 bedroom flat, Australia was once the land of dreams but it’s been ruined by ridiculous tolls, taxes, regulations, just 1 pack of 20 cigarettes in Sydney will set you back $40+, it’s becoming the worse country to live by far, seems like no amount of money you earn is enough
Cigarette taxes subsidise everything else
Negative geared housing and tax rorts
$500 a week for food , what a load of bollocks , what you eat caviar and lobster
Yes if you have a family of 4 $500 on a weeks food is not that unusual surely
@@wooloongabba yep agreed - i have been 5 times first time 3.3 to gbp last time about 1.7 gbp but never spent 500 aus a week - be sensible..
Sorry to hear about your experience bro! I'm a Brit & I did my regional work in Bundaberg which was also brutal. Got paid $2.50 per bucket for picking Zucchinis. Definitely feel the Australian Government should do more to make sure those on working holiday visa don't get exploited
I did those as well in queensland and you had to wear gloves as the skin has a chemical that gives you a rash. I hardly made any money on some farms...I think the only time I made any money was picking peppers by the bucket! A lot of farms didn't have big crops so I was working 3 days a week sometimes...barely enough to pay the rent!
I picked mangos in Bundaberg! Had 2 things happen: 1. a fellow picker deliberately picked a mango a sprayed the juice in my eye 2. was picking mangos on top of the tractor thing - my legs got whipped with mango branches - got some sort of allergic reaction. Had to leave after that :(
You get exploited for the benefit of all Australian citizens so no one will ever want to fix it
Should have gone to Fair Work. Easy.
It looks like a working visa isn't covered by labor regulations or unions.
Anybody know?
Couple of years ago we heard of two girls that had done some farm worker. After working on the farm for three months, they were dismissed and paid their wages. But the farmer deducted accommodation expenses, a paid them each about $350 for three months work!! We accommodated them for a week and gave them $1000 each to get going again,and make up for the disgraceful treatment by the farmer. We feel nothing for farmers whining they can't get pickers or other seasonal workers. Treat people right you won't have a problem.
wage theft is rife in the industry.. damn criminal.
The same happened to us, farming in 2010... our accommodation in a dorm in an abandoned abattoir was $200 - more than i was paying in Manly NSW for a room at that time! Every Friday the farmer would pay us around $250 and subtract $200 accommodation - leaving us with barely anything to do our groceries with. He would also adjust the prices of the rows of trees based on how fast we were working on them so he never had to pay us more than the $50...some girls actually had to pay the farmer! As they didnt work hard enough. Also he would call us f****ng m**g c***s every morning when he picked us up to work :( Girls would come to the farm and leave crying a few days later.... it was horrible.
So... Slavery is still on the go in Australia, hah?
There are human excrement in every country, have a gander at what is running Russia right now.
They are absolute assholes,they will have there day @@sadiemakesmesmile
My friend I just sent your video to the Australian Minister for Immigration and suggested he apologise to you for the harms his predecessors in the office exposed you to. Yours is a well researched and documented problem. It’s well known that this kind of industrial abuse is common place in Australia. Unfortunately we’ve had years of red necks and their lobbyists running this country. It was a great video btw.
Well done, yes we as Aussies need to step up and report this abuse.
Just an average day’s work for some people.
Nice but good luck our politicians are paid to not care.
Waste of time. politicians shaft all people
Good on you
Australia is a country where no matter what job you do you are at risk of being abused by your coworkers/boss, sometimes its best to tough it out, other times you need to pay attention to the warning signs and move on. Sometimes when you get hired by a business you will notice that most of the employees are fairly new or the business is understaffed, this is because the old employees all got the shits and left. For many people life in Australia is hard, but for others like people in specific trades or with a niche skill and lots of experience life tends to be pretty easy.
Garbage
Or else just quit and start your own business or go homeless always works
What a pack of lies...Australia has some of the toughest work relationship laws in the world. Perhaps you should move to the US where workers are less protected?
Undoubtedlyso is telling the truth. Aussie bosses, and esp the co-workers are most disrespectful & nasty and gang up on other workers who may be newer additions there. Workers are very cliquey & may never accept someone in their circle. The spitefulness I suffered in Melbourne working as an office girl left me scarred. Years on, I worked on my own & I was far better off. Remember, ppl who come here are not used to the abuse ppl put up with here. It is psychologically scarring to be screamed at by bosses & co-workers too. This is NOT NORMAL. You can contact any org you like with your complaint, but you'd be wasting your time as nothing gets done about it. You can find another job, but aggressive co-workers & bosses are everywhere.
@@kerryryan5116 doesn't mean that these rules are easily enforced or respected. Abusive bosses will always overlay their interpretation. Regulatory bodies seems mostly impotent.
As an Australian born and raised in Sydney city, I’m sorry you had to put up with aggressive farmers. There are so many stories of working tourists being treated like dirt by farmers. The entire labour force in Australia is filled with aggressive people who feel like screaming and shouting at people turns them into better workers.
Yes its really sad its not talk about in the media. The MSM talk about mental health but avoid the elephent in the room.
I don't understand why such a large part of our culture is so nasty. This isn't just exclusive to farms... I experienced it working at a supermarket as a kid/young adults, I hear about the same shit from every tradie, I hear about it from chefs. We just have a nasty culture... spose you could chalk it up to the fact that we descend from criminals, but that's no excuse. I really wish we had more compassion as a whole... We're such a privileged country, but we squander it because of a handful of cultural norms. That nasty, hater sentiment is rife. We're also extremely adverse to progress and change. Like we produce so much skill, many people come up with so many ideas for inventions and businesses but our venture capitalists only invest in ore and housing for the most part. No one wants to take any chances because they're so allergic to change and innovation. Allasian for instance, we lost them to the USA. They could've put us on the map in the tech world and would've been amazing for our economy. We need to incentivise people to invest in industries which aren't just mining and housing. There's so much we could do in the energy sector, also I.T. - Like anything tech related is where you'd be wanting to focus your incentives if you're a smart policy maker.
I think Australia is summed up by the saying "hard times produce strong men, strong men produce good times, good times produce weak men. There is no real adversity now in Australia, most avoided it and the lack of suffering produces a lack of compassion.
Scream and shout back.
Don't let yourself contract PTSD.
you think you can't?
Sydney's even worse. What a robotic shite hole
I'm Australian and as someone who had zero money I also decided to do the Australia backpacker farm thing and I saw a lot going on out on the farms that was hard to believe, it's another world out there.
i wish it would be more known!!!
I use to clean the backpackers accommodation it was pretty rough I must say that's in Victoria but the bosses are lovely noy like the banana farms and no crazy infection
Man oh man go to baccus marsh victoria or peninsula or Mowbray in VICTORIA
Also backpackers in Victoria some are luxurious
BACKPACKERS PLEASE DO YOUR FARM WORK IN VICTORIA WA OR NSW
As a Kiwi living now in Australia for 33 years I think NZ should be very proud to have such a decent, caring and humble person as you. When you described your conversation with your Mum whilst in hospital, it really moved me. I wish you every happiness in NZ. I hope one day you will return to Oz. 😊
Thank you for sharing your experiences, and really feel for you, being put in that grim situation. Glad to see you've remained the charming and positive sun beam that lights up our TH-cam days!!
I have been living here in Australia since 1996, I have a hell of a story of the demise of Australia and it's many ego driven people.
I've been living here since 1966: I was born here!
Is there a place I can read it? California here.
I live in Australia and have worked on farms. It can be a nightmare. It just depends on the farmer. So sorry for your experience. Bless you. The government should look into stuff like this. Bless ya.
I'm Aussie and I've had MRSA twice ending up in hospital for weeks at a time. This story hit home so hard - all he best bro, no one really understands how hectic it can be
I’m English, I’ve lived in Australia around 14 years…. I originally came backpacking… I can relate to so much of this…. I’ve found quite often, there is alot of dislike and hatred , frankly towards English people… people can say “it’s not true” all they like… but I’ve lived it and experienced/experience it. I’m glad you’re okay. The country needs to treat travellers better, it’s a large chunk of their tourism industry … they need to protect it!
He was not a tourist. He was ill prepared and knew nothing about Australia. Going to work in the tropics on a Qld banana farm in the wet season is about as nutty as it can be.
I came to this country almost 60 years ago and I never experienced dislike or hatred. Bearing in mind that people with my ethnic background were locked up in camps during WWII.
I do not include the AUS media in this. They were IMO still in the dark ages. It wasn't until the late 1980 until they reported Football results from Continental European leagues.
Till the 1980 the media was so Anglo- American centric that one had the impression that the rest of the world did not exist.
Whilst a lot of derogatory term existed to describe immigrants I never experienced such a term being directly said to me face to face. I may mention that at least the last 25 years no one has asked me were I was born.
If you still experience dislike etc. perhaps you need to be more choosy who you associate with. You can't choose who you work with but in your private life you don't have to put up with nonsense like that.
@aimeekova I'm a Brit who lived in Sydney in the late 1990's - trust me - this anti-English thing is everywhere and never really acknowledged (to be fair they hate Asians and Americans only slightly more than they do us). I've been told things have changed in the two and a half decades since I've been there but reading all these comments I don't think anything has aprt from Australians being (slightly) more critical of their country.
That's appalling! The worst thing is....our greedy government have allowed this to happen for many, many years. It's basically slave labor, and non of these psycho farmers are ever brought to pay for their abusive ways at all. And, the main population of Australia, have no idea that this happens. They know that backpackers go work on farms, but they think it's all fun, and laughter and partying. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It's disgraceful, and it's a blight on our country.
File a criminal complaint under the modern slavery law - complain to the attorney general office (state and commonwealth), also complain to the international bodies watching for modern slavery
Australia is in Recession according to Deutsche Bank, 2 trillion dollars foreign debt so International students and these working visas are simply slave work and exploitation by scumbags Australian farmers and businesses. Overseas students and foreign workers are moving the Australian economy. A big Ponzi scheme. Glad you saw it through. I saw some comments about lodging complaints. It goes nowhere. Australia is a very corrupt country. Australia still remove Aboriginal children in mass. All hidden. Watch “In My blood it runs” documentary. Shine lawyers suing Australian Government for “modern day stolen generation “.
This was during the previous government I think you'll find!
If people bother to report it they will be prosecuted
Just needs proper regulation. Needs inspections. Compulsory unionism would stop a lot of this. But, bullshit from Unions stopping people coming to do jobs their members won't. Just let the Pacific Islander do it. I can imagine this farmer trying that shit with some Tongans. Our agricultural sector could be way bigger if we allowed guest workers. Just need to do it properly.
I can identify with your story. I'm a Kiwi and was picking vegies up in FNQ. The owner of the place ripped me off. Next thing I knew, all of the workers packed up and walked off. Irish, Scottish, English and Kiwis. Solidarity in friendship. That was about 1990. Workers rights haven't changed much since then, unfortunately.
I am sorry you went through that. It is not fair. Workers need to be treated well. I hope we up our game, as we do need the workers.
Same in Europe workers are exploited for cheap labour. Even tho there is workers rights but Europe still likes to exploit Eastern Europeans
That's appalling of course. The only thing missing is an old fashioned picket line, and SCABS getting bussed in by the bosses, a la "When The Boat Comes In." 😅
Some farmers are having to change their ways because they can't get enough labourers.
@@stubru16 I got paid a cheque after working on a strawberry farm in Ireland. The cheque bounced 🥵
I’m Australian, 54 years old, and I can remember jackarooing out longreach and Windorah way, treated like shit carting timber fence post on my shoulder outer the scrub, been ripped off more than a few times, they tell you your useless so you don’t leave, killing the confidence of young bloke that still effects me today. Always full of self doubt.
Yes they are not all like that, but a lot are. I have had great bosses as well.
But one good thing that come out of, I never tell a kid they can’t do anything, always encourage them to keep trying, and I’m a better dad for it.
I’m so sorry..I hate to hear it still affects you today. I’m glad you didn’t treat others badly. God bless you ❤
@@melt2947 If you want a country with boys instead of men - then pray there is no war.
Can't wait for you to go!
@@NancyWilson-pp3ig kick rocks
As an Australian who has had to literally rescue backpackers from a banana farmer who was abusive and assaulting them.. I know what you're talking about. Some of those farmers are sadists getting off on a power trip. It's really important to report those operators because they are actually abusive. Backpackers have committed suicide because they've felt trapped on these farms. Stay away from farm work.. There are other options now. You don't have to do farm work. You can do mining which is very regulated.
Can you get a permit that allows you to carry concealed weapon. Or please help find a website. I enjoyed your video. Well done.
Hey mate sorry to hear about your experience. It's unfortunate no one warned you about the tropics. Unless you are born there or are from Indonesia or another tropical area, the body takes a massive hit. For any backpackers from Europe/UK I'd recommend finding a dairy farm in Victoria or Tasmania.
Better work in Victoria and Tasmania.
Horrible climate though . Much better up here .👍🏝
Too cold in Vic and Tassie, too hot North Qld, South Australia is the best weather lol
Work like a slave or get your visa revoked.
Work for the dole or get your welfare abolished.
@@tropicaussie4572 Infection can happen easily in a tropical climate. The bed bugs situation can happen anywhere but piled on top...a clusterf*k of a situation. truly sorry again.
I’m a doctor working in compensation in Aus. I hope you consulted a lawyer (it should be covered by work insurance) about a lump sum payment for that work injury, or at least took the farmer to court for the abusive behaviour. I’ve never met anyone so horrible or even heard of it! This is not normal. Neither are bed bugs, that’s such terrible luck! Stay at a luxury hotel next trip!! Most Aussies are fine (from a NZ who lives here).
You're right. He should be eligible to a work injury compensation claim. Some years have passed now, so not sure how that might affect matters, but temp working VISA workers have more entitlements than what's commonly known.
Let’s be real. There’s no support anywhere here. The entire system is corrupt from the top down. So many people take their lives because of the hell work cover subjects them to.
It's why they often hire backpackers over locals. Most don't know they have work rights in this country.
If it indeed was the case, you have to make a claim within 3 years, and you have to be able to prove it. A dramatised winge on YT doesn't cut it. You can be an overcomer or a victim, it's all lifes lessons, we live and learn.
STOP WHINING YOU LAWYER CREEP.
In 2002 I worked on a tobacco farm near Bright, Victoria for 3 months. It was owned by an Italian family, Angelo and Pat were the father and son. They were fantastic, we drank grappa every morning, made us pizzas, went shooting deer. Had a great time, will never forget it
Bright is beautiful. Hoping to visit again this year.
@@lh7325 Autumn in Bright .. 🍂 .. Was there as a child .. 😊
Sadly most (if not all) the tobacco farms in that part of Victoria are gone now. Some of them have been replaced by hops growing. Bright is truly stunning in Autumn and a very popular holiday destination for Melburnians.
You are probably a good worker with an optimistic attitude.
I live in NZ, and once worked for an Australian company - absolute bunch of bullies and psychos.
Like most Australians. Most have massive chip on their shoulder is why. And I am Aussie born and bred.
So mush for the "Australians are friendly" BS.
What a story! As an Australian, I'm sorry to hear that you had a tough time on the banana farm. Kudos to you that you remained so positive and upbeat throughout all of your experiences.
I'm 57 now used to pick fruit and veg when I was younger. Worked my butt off but the wages were so low I had to supplement it with benefits just to get by. By the sounds of it it hasn't changed. Most Aussie farmers pay very low wages often below minimum. I'm Australian
Then they wonder why nobody wants to go fruit picking. They have to hire workers from Polynesia & Asia.
Im an Aussie and live in North Queensland.
I worked on the mango farms in NQ 25 years ago, and it was hard work back then, except the pay was good back then.
You're right, its intense work and I wouldnt recommend it to anyone actually.
My daughter also nearly died from a staf infection in her bone. She had 2 operations to save her life, she was 7 years old.
Ive also received care at that Innisfail hospital!
So i guess Im telling you all this, cause I know about some of the things you went through, and Im really sorry you went through any of it. Sounds horrendous! Im glad all that is behind you!
Its stupid we are putting travellers through this. Im really sorry. Good on you for sharing your experience. How that farmer treated you was bloody wrong.
From an Aussie.
@EurekaElephant2417 how sweet!!
The only reason australia would do this to travellers is that its racist
I used to work with English and Irish backpackers in Labour Hire. We did the worst and the illegal jobs at construction. Jobs the building companies would not put their own workers through. We had Aussies, New Zealanders and even Islanders, here and there.
Some privileged people say - Australians are lazy, there should not be any benefits paid, because there are jobs for everybody. Yes there are about a billion third world jobs in Australia waiting to get filled. There is no bottom at how low one can go. I usually tell those people to try doing some hard yakka before lecturing the public.
@@AD-fq9ir, please explain re racist attitudes of some Australians ? Unfortunately we do have our fare share of Racist A......holes but in this instance I fail to see we're that fits in here ? Regards 🦘🇦🇺🪃 FNQ
@@chriswilson8757 you being English will not get it, try getting locks for wearing burkas, or redneck Aussies not letting you park, Australia doesn't like or respect foreigners very much like Japan its a fact.
My teacher and his brother have both been backpacking at australia. Me teacher said that i should NEVER EVER try to work in banana, mango and pepper plantations because of bad farm conditions, dunno about the mango and capsaicin from the peppers.
Young people in a foreign country on an isolated farm are easy prey. Because they soon leave and don't have funds to sue, they are likely to be grateful the abuse is behind them and move on with their lives. Their stories won't be heard so the abusers can just be nasty to the next batch if victims. The internet may change all this. Your story is harrowing and will help to warn others. So glad you survived!
@@rossevans1774 How naive. The farmer knows exactly who he is hiring and he does it to take advantage of mostly young, inexperienced people who will put up with anything to earn their visas and work for peanuts.
Why are you making excuses for ABUSE? ABUSE is always unacceptable! @@rossevans1774
As a Cairns local I confirm this to be true
Name & shame those employers who abuse visa workers.
@@SoulHero777 l.p.
I followed the blog of a young couple who spent 2 years travelling around the world. Australia was one of the places they visited. The young woman got a job working at horse stables in a very isolated rural area, the owner of the place wasn't interested in hiring her partner who got himself a job elsewhere. The woman was really keen on the job as the owner had promised her free riding lessons. He made her work extremely long hours mucking the stables and started to act inappropriately. Her partner dropped in to see her, the owner wouldn't let them spend time together (he gave the guy a 'job' mending the fence in a distant field, even though he was just visiting for the weekend) and wouldn't let them spend the night together, because he didn't want them to have sex at his place! The result: the young woman ran away from the farm with her boyfriend at the end of the weekend. She was a bit unsure as to the intentions of the farmer, but her partner was adamant that he wanted to f*** her and that it wasn't safe for her to stay there another week. All in all, she spent 2 weeks there.
That rings perfectly true. See the movie "Wake in Fright" - should seem familiar.
@@Rampart.X You should have reported it to the local police so they know what this guy is like for future reference.
Yikes. 😳
@yehmen29
Heck
That is scary / dark / disturbing / UNACCEPTABLE !
The abuser should be exposed.
Thank goodness she fled from that weirdo.
@@Rampart.X Brilliant movie, but there's been a lot of changes since then. That's like expecting the poms to live like people in the dark ages.
I was hospitalized for 31/2 months for MRSA sepsis. I’ve made a full recovery, but it took about 3 years before I felt normal again. I almost had my leg amputated. Glad you’re ok!
I know a travel nurse who was treated poorly whilst she was in Sydney for 6 weeks. Yes travel nurses get free accommodations but she was sent in a hospital accommodation without heating/cooling during extreme weather! She had to endure cold nights in a tiny room and fell sick to the point she was hospitalised for 3 days with pneumonia due to poor living condition whilst working long hours in a busy understaffed hospital. She reported this formally but she was only given a small heater that is not safe for long usage so no point running it overnight! These are horrible stories untold until now. She is on working visa as well. I feel bad about how some non citizens are treated like this and get abused but are so hard working to help our country! Sad that it is happening here in Australia but this happens to other countries as well :(
I love your tale of the prikish Innisfail banana farmers (I live down the road in Townsville). The truth is, is that there is absolutely no need for them to behave like that towards their laborers, and they only do it because they have gotten away with it over the years. The covid pandemic was a time of reckoning for them, because the backpacker labor force disappeared, and no Australians wanted to come and work for them. I was getting all these job notifications telling me how great it was to come out and work in 'harvesting', the government was actually paying people to go out there, and farmers were having to recruit among students and grey nomads to fill the void.
Yeah, those scab farmers got found out when their supply of slaves dried up during covid. Some good ones out there, but majority are pieces of shit!
The people were actually being PAID, what story's. You loose your nail polish to sir/they/them/he/she
@@Mrderbyavenue U mad bro?
@@Mag0Lag yep we all are out here, expecting hard workers from💋
@@MrderbyavenueThere's exhibit A of inbred, stupid Queensland farmer! Absolute simpletons.
As an Aussie I am upset that there are people in this country who treat workers like that. I wish our government would do more to target businesses who abuse their workers and to make it easier for workers who are being abused to make a complaint to the authorities (including being protected from visa penalties if they come forward and blow the whistle)
There are many stories like this. If you want to work on a farm in Australia, stay away from Rizzato's orchards in Stanthorpe. They will make you stay in their own accommodation and pay a fortune for it as well as pay for transport to and from the workplace and treat you like shit.
Yes!!!!!! YOU named a shamed them, well done!!!!
Thank you for naming. You would have saved many people thinking of working there 🙏
Get the authorities onto these greaseballs
@@patkelly6349
Yes. Write to whoever makes this rules system for backpackers.
Get a petition
Next one might die and that's bad 🌎 wide press for an otherwise great country.
❤ Australia ❤
I was in Stanthorpe 7 years ago, and even back then Rizzato was to avoid!
I first lived in Auckland and then in Sydney. I have a New Zealand passport but am not New Zealand born
Professionally I’m a psychiatrist.
I’m pleased you are able to share your story as a narrative. The traumas you experienced are severe. I’d be surprised if you didn’t experience PTSD.
I used to consult on medical and surgical wards at the hospital I worked at in north Sydney. Both the cellulitis and the staph infection could have killed you. Let alone the abscess on your back. Horrible horrible to hear of this terrible time in your life.
I’m pleased to hear that you sound happily settled in the beautiful Wellington.
I need not tell you to simply take care/ look after yourself. May you never have to experience such traumas again.
And thank you for also remembering to thank the medical and nursing staff. As a doctor I always express my thanks and praise to the nursing staff without whom we could not operate hospitals effectively.
Thank you for your channel and your uploads.
🇷🇺👊
This seems to happen to many who travel to Australia. I think most of it is caused by a lack of hygiene. No one in their right mind would stay at a backpackers, -4 star accommodation, as it is rife with diseases from all over the world. Sorry this happened to you, but I have travelled Australia, from Townsville to Melbourne, drove across the Nullarbor, to Perth, where I worked along the way and lived in several placed, but NEVER stay at backpackers and ALWAYS travelled with antiseptic creams and soap. Keep clean, eat well and remain healthy.
But will you agree that these are the precautions of someone who has had previous "experiences" ... ?!
Yep, lack of hygeine. Like he said, the other guy been doing bananas for 28 years and NO problems.
Australian here, I stayed at backpacker hostels, most English shower once each week, Saturday morning usually. Many do not shower for weeks. I was surprised! I shower daily, I know plenty of Australians who shower twice daily.
Lol
@@cranegantry868Yeah man, I feel like shit if I don't have at least 1 shower a day. I guess because they're from a colder climate they don't sweat as much but still, sweat isn't the only thing that makes us dirty
A lot of those backpacker jobs are exploitative and amount to slave labour.
Well, more precisely, the moral of the story is not don't go to Australia but rather don't work an on Australian farm. Thanks for the tip, bro. Glad you're okay.
Well thank God not everyone is agin us! 😂
don't work for farmers - crooked people living in a bubble - they have a certain look, they dress a certain way, the big hat spells trouble. Hello Barnaby Joyce.
All this small farms are goin to be gobbled up by big corporation
Also never go to Australia after Thailand otherwise it'll ruin Australia!
@@WellRaverOfficial cannabis australiana is very highly regarded
What a story! I feel sorry for your troubles. Stay safe!
I went to Australia to teach , on a teacher Commonwealth exchange.
My experience was hellish. Within a week of arriving in Australia, after exchanging my house in Scotland for the Australian teacher’s home, I was. Told “This house is up for sale. You have to get out” . This was the man friend of the lady teacher. My wife and one year old child spent three months trying to find accommodation. To our horror, the school where I taught thought our difficulty was none of their concern.
We were so glad to return home after six months of uncertainty, not knowing which piece of accommodation we would find, and which had to be paid.
My advice : Go to Australia for a holiday, if you have friends there. Keep in mind : if you come upon bad times, and have no one - you will suffer !
So why didn't you just go back to your house and kick the others out
Unbelievable!!! They really don't appreciate teachers here! I'm not one , but u vaccinated teachers were stood down....now they can come back ( if they still want to), but get paid less than a regular teachers wage for doing so.
WE ALL SUFFER CAUSE THE GOVERNMEBT MAKES AUSSIES HOMELESS AND PEOPLE FROM OVERSEAS ARE BUYING THEM IR BEUNGING THEIR FAMILY TO MOVE IN. WHAT U EXPERIENCED WAS THE PEOPLE FIGHTING BACK. SORRY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE.
To be fair, no employer I ever had in the UK would think it's their problem if I couldn't find somewhere to live.
@@LilaBear , the accommodation was reciprocated by both teachers. Paperwork was signed to make the teacher exchange run smoothly . The teacher coming to my school in Scotland , on arrival, said she wasn’t interested in my accommodation(after completing the documents to confirm that she is moving into my home, and likewise my wife and I into her home in Australia).
I worked on a lot of different farms during my WHV in Australia and I have 0 positive experiences. I've been mistreated and underpaid. I worked in the field under the pouring rain and then had to spend the afternoon packing, without being able to get changed (in South Queensland in winter). I worked on a farm in which we were paid to pick zucchini by bucket, and there was no zucchini in the field, I made $7 in an hour before telling them to f*ck off. And I have millions of stories like this. Now I'm an Australian citizen and I would never ever go back to work on a farm. I feel bad for the backpackers who have to go through this.
Your story TravellingNowhereFast is as horrendous as the guy above. I'm Aussie. Just to balance these stories two things - i.)Resident decades in The U.K. I've experienced horrendous abuse working for U.K. employers - but also in Melbourne (my home town). It saddens and disgusts me. Growing up in Australia an ethos of a 'fair go' for everyone - regardless of race or creed - permeated the country. It wasn't perfect - but no place ever is. We made the effort to get as close as we could to it - and felt national pride doing so. It wasn't a myth. We really did feel we were 'the lucky country' - particularly those of us who had parents immigrant from nations not as fortunate. You'd have been in Australia long enough (if you've got citizenship) to know most of us still hold to those principles. Not only are they important to us - they're very real. Unscrupulous - abusive - and dishonest people (unfortunately) exist among any otherwise decent folk. Human nature being what it is - with its' faults and deficits. I'm sorry likewise if you had to experience something similar this poor guy. I'm sure you won't tar us all with the same brush - and take the positives from us. We honestly do try. ii.) Sometimes it works against us here in The U.K. - and we have experiences approaching yours. It's also worth noting we can - and sometimes do - experience the same bad treatment our own country as you have. I know I have. On behalf of the majority - the best of us - I apologise for the minority. Were it up to me I'd revoke THEIR citizenship. Stick with us.
That's the plight of thousands of backpackers, foreign students and workers they will put up with sh.t to become an Australian citizen. That's why the abuse
continues. If you and everyone who went through this petitioned the government, this might end.
@@younghanrahan thank you for your answer! I love Australia, and I know there are many awesome people here. Unfortunately a few bad apples ruin it. And it seems very common to mistreat the immigrants, in every country. I still believe that working in Australia is much better than it will ever be in Italy. Most farmers are a shame to the Australian values though.
@@daintree98 unfortunately people go through this because they don’t know any better, or they can’t speak English well enough to stand up for themself. Even if everyone petition the government, they will never remove the 88 days rule, because australians would never work in the farms (which is fair enough)
@@TravellingNowhereFast Most Australians haven't got a clue where their fresh food on the grocery shelf comes from. 90% of Australians are city slickers and their idea of a holiday is catching a plane to an overseas destination, eg Bali. At present there is no incentive to travel 100's or 1000's kilometres around the outback to work as a farm labourer. Very few children grow up on a farm these days and most children of the rich cockies go off to boarding school in the cities and never return to the farm.
But if the government gave an incentive to High School leavers, say an extra 10% on their HSC if they did 88 days of labouring work on a farm, I believe there would be a flood applicants. Even if they had to spend a year or two farming, they would line up in their thousands.
Farming is a very difficult business and must compete with overseas imports. China and South America could supply all the fruit and veggies at
cheaper prices if not for quarantine.
The days of backpackers working on farms are numbered as more and more Pacific Islanders are happy to do the heavy farm work and go back to their village wealthy.
I’m so sorry you went through this. There should be a class action against evil work conditions for backpackers on banana farms
Not jst banana farms.
What's wrong with those people who won't do that?
go research who owns banana farms. NOT Australians
@@aussiehillbilly Mostly it's the farmer who owns the farm, his family members or direct employees (like a foreman) who set the cracking work pace and deny breaks and entitlements. Not foreign companies.
it's not just banana farms in Innisfail; believe me i am an early childhood teacher and never experienced anything like it .
Glad to know that you have a good life now. My husband had been working in 5 different companies for 25 years in Australia. Fortunately he 'd neverr been bullied by anyone at his offices. Instead, he often said how respectful his colleagues were toward each others.
I am married to an Australian whom lived with me for many years in Canada.. we have moved to Australia and as an older person I am shocked at all of the bullying and harrassment by bosses and business owners have towards their employees.. I joined the SES and a few social clubs and even in the volunteer and social clubs bullying of those you supervise is very common and I feel part of the culture.. This disrespect is common in politics and even in professional and amateur sports.. Australia is a beautiful country but the bully culture is not so great.
The attitude of every tradie or blue collar manager iver ever worked under in small to medium business from landscaping and building to warehousing.
About 25 years ago, I met an Australian man who had moved to America. When I asked him why he moved, he told me he wanted to get away from the Australian "pecking order" behavior. He also wanted to get away from what he called the "tall poppy syndrome" in Australia. He said in Australia, you can be successful, but not "too" successful. Once a person reaches a certain level of success, he said the public and press will turn on you as if to say, "Who do you think you are to be so much better than the rest of us?" He said the unjust criticism is what cuts the "tall poppy" down to size so it's back in line with everyone else. He said he was tired of that kind of cultural resentment of success and wanted to be in America where the success of others is not seen as a threat but celebrated and used as an inspiration for one's own success. I never knew Australia had that kind of resentment of success and bullying attitude running through their culture.
@@L1623VP Sounds like nonsense to me and live here in Sydney was born here.
If this "tall poppy syndrome" stil existed do you think we'd be acting like a 51st state of the UsA with the same celebrity cringe culture e.g when Taylor Swift come here the mainstream mass couldnt stop going on about and she's american as apple pie.
If there was tall poppy sydrome then no one would brown nose celebrities either because celebrities are seen as the ultimate level of acheivement and income in western society. Many celebrities in Australia get the same hero worship they do anywhere if not more so, including those like Elon Musk.
@L1623VP A Class based pecking order exists i assure you Australia has elite private schools and elite universities by our own standards to prove it, elite enough for large portion of asia to pay big bucks to come and study on our campuses anyway.
@@jeffpliskin I don't care about Taylor Swift, and your response doesn't make much sense. That's exactly what he said to me. Like it or not.
First off, I'm sorry to hear about your experience and your treatment at the hands of my fellow Queenslanders. Aussie here, born and raised in Brisbane Queensland, blue collar worker my entire 20+ years in the work force and I'd never do rural farm work. . For what the work demands and what they pay is it's disgusting and nothing short of exploitation.
As we saw during Covid, when all the cheap backpacker labour was shut down due to the covid restrictions and lock downs, they all of a sudden couldn't get workers to slave around on their farms because no Aussie or anyone who wasn't chasing their second year working VISA will do that work in the POW conditions for the money. So I have no respect or sympathy for the scab farms out there.
Not every farm is horrible like that, but it's a total crap shoot if one will score a good one. average one, or hell. An English friend of mine managed to score her rural time working at a remote hotel, so she avoided the farms all together. This would be my recommendation for anyone chasing their 2nd year working VISA.
On the other hand, I'm very proud of my country and the high standard of medical care we are able to provide a tourist on a temp working VISA at little expense to them.
ONly because we get the party in that this farmer would be opposed to.
Agree with you totally. I would tell tourists to steer clear of farm work if they can, and even go to hospitality (which can also be exploitative, particularly if dealing with ex 3rd world Chinese or Indian bosses). Rural politicians (more right wingers like the National Party) love the existing system and their exploitative farmer donors, and have a lot of power in that country as they tend to win most of the rural elections.
@@NinoNiemanThe1st Yeah NP controls Libs, they hate workers and would ban unions if they could get away with it :(
UK and oz have reciprocal agreements re health care
I had great health care in oz.
Loved it there, wish I could do it all again.
@@Threadbow Reciprocal health care arrangements between first world countries with similar social health care systems are a fantastic thing! It means visitors from countries with good systems can be assured of decent healthcare when they travel. But it will always be unavailable if you are coming from places like India: in that case, costly 1st world insurance policies are required (and usually on visa stipulations) and it can get very expensive, because you can't compare their health care systems.
I a retired medical guy and have worked in UK.
Thanks for this video.
You should have taken legal action to prevent future incidents like this.
I’m extremely saddened to hear of your unfortunate ordeal in Australia 😪😪😪
I’m most glad and happy for your full recover brother 🤗🤗 GOD bless and protect you from all ill 🤲🏻🤲🏻🪷
Nobody should have to put up with abuse in the workplace… Glad you survived it and found NZ…👍
lol
Hope the bludger stays there.
There’s a lot of abuse in England too….but its all stealthily done…so its difficult to prove…you dont really get gross abuse like has just been explained..since very long ago…but ive left jobs because of outright rudeness in England..it must go on all over the world……
@@peterdahl9884Why's he a bludger?
F NZ, absolute shite hole of a place.
Ive never heard of this. You are doing a great service to travellers in Australia.. They need to know about these goings on and the farmers need their behaviour to become well known and to be honest they do not deserve the help they are getting. Thank you for the video.
Need to know is one thing.
Getting justice is another.
lol based on one man's story...
Aussie farmers are millionaires but always cry poor. Now you know how they become wealthy, by overworking their farmhands & underpaying them.😮
After living in Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, for 5 yrs. I left. On the way back to the US, the ship stopped in NZ at around 6 am. We had a few hours and I went for a walk in Aukland. (You could do that without a visa in 1969) Everyone I passed on the street said "Good morning." Never happened in Australia. The New Zealanders I've met were the friendliest people I've ever known. If I could afford to live there I would.
That's because Aussies weren't that big on Americans back then. They were suss about everyone back then but you can't say that about them now.....
yes! completely different culture isn't it
NZ is a poor man's Canada thou..
It depends on where you are. People on the northern beaches are still automatically friendly but that’s a pretty isolated area. I can’t talk for other cities but the rest of Sydney is pretty stressed out and you’ll find people only acknowledge those they know.
Not under the current government you wouldn’t!
If you go north of Brisbane it is tropical, and if you are not used to it, getting tropical sores and such problems are normal.
Wow. I'm an Australian citizen, 64 years old, I'm never going to touch another banana again. The first job I had at age 18 (I migrated in '71 with my family from Sri Lanka) was in a health food factory - muesli, nuts, dried fruit - and this Aussie supervisor , he really broke my spirit. It took me decades to recover. I did that job for a couple of years, then I started working in sales companies, in the office, and did I run into a lot of needless, unjustifiable abuse. It was just the Aussie style, but I hated it. It's like gratuitous violence. I wasn't doing anything wrong at my job. The customers were happy with me. I got on well with my co-workers. A bad experience is a bad experience. The only thing you learn from it , is don't let it happen again. I still struggle with my nerves , with anxiety , but I get over it without resorting to medication. Merry Christmas , thanks for the video , and I'm sorry they treated you badly .
The best thing you can do is to go back to Sri Lanka.
@@someguy2972 The best thing you could is put your jocks back on and get off you mums laptop
Hoping you life has improved for you..Have a great New Year.
@@someguy2972 Nice. For 2024, learn to see similarities between people rather than just the differences ?
Hey. Just a little word of encouragement from one sufferer to another
Oh man my heart breaks for you! You poor man! You’d be welcome in my family home anytime your back in Australia. Your a champion!
I totally agree with your statement about doctors and nurses I was in hospital for 5 weeks after having a cyst removed from my brain and I now have a total appreciation for the work they do especially nurses they have to do some pretty gross stuff but do it with a smile. Very special people that’s for sure
Nurses do an amazing job. It makes me sad when nurses say they get sworn at every day by patients.
@@alanw2036 so true they do all the hard work are under paid and still get abused
They are worth there weight in gold!
Only for surgery and Emergency. Most surgeries are scams to male money for surgeons. Doctors, aside from necessary surgery and emergency, are just pill and unnecessary injection pushers.
As an Australian, I can't wait to leave Australia. I have no idea why people want to come here.
I lived in Sydney and Central Coast some years ago, all very nice, especially the harbour.
Apart from all the things that can kill you, I found so many things that were hard to deal with, primarily the extremes of everything, the heat, and the prices. Not wanting to be labelled a 'whinger', (being a Brit that name is conferred on you before you even open your mouth!), I headed back home. Now I am 'at peace', it's not perfect for some, but I function so much better here .. perhaps you should give it a go. Many young Australians arrive in London, head for Covent Garden and basically never leave, well the country that but you know what I mean. I hope you find your happy place 🙋♀️🏴🤗
No place on earth is perfect, trust me. you will always find issues.
Great story man. I spent 21 years in Far North Queensland and the reputation of the farmers is well known. They are known to me as 'C. Hunts' wherein the H is silent, and the period is unnecessary.
In defence of farmers and to put forth the other side of the story, they provided work and pay and if they caused unlawful abuse the Australian legal system is the best int the world, this guy was free to leave obviously. Theres some amazingly good and kind farmers too, and many unlawful acts have been comitted by backpackers. So it goes both ways. I think this story makes all farmers out to be bad and that's a stereotypical falsehood, without them you don't eat. I'd rather work on a farm in sunny Australia with Australian generational farmers than in some poo hole country where you would no doubt have something to regret on the first day, not 5.5 weeks later when you've given yourself backpacker alcahol poisining or what have you.
C Hunts - Hilarious
Melbournelost66:
...where the “H” is silent.
Aloha from Hawaii.
Seems correct. From my experience the most c hunts are from sydney and adelaide.
I can agree that Australia is sadly no longer a nation where you can build wealth and get ahead because somebody is always trying to screw you over here.
As soon as you get off govt payments and into permanent employment you can't get access to affordable medical or dental treatment. Private health insurance is way too expensive here for single people so how can anyone build a good lifestyle here god knows.
@garynewton1263 please refrain from blaspheming
I'm a local and I have to say it's a national sport this sort of thing.
*Never respect people that command it. Respect is earned.
Self confidence is a good counter to this sort of thing.
The way to deal with people like this is to stare them straight in the eye and say something like, "Go to hell you nobody. Who do you think you are, Nobody?" When they respond, you have to stay calm and respond slightly arrogantly pointing your chin at them and looking over or down your nose, "So it's fine when you're dishing it out is it?" Treat them like a child, by saying, "No I'm not playing this stupid game, do you want me to keep working or am I leaving - let's work this out now, staying or going make your mind up, I need an answer now?"
The thing is, they need you bad. You have the power not them. All they're doing is playing power games with you because they can. You have to stop them quickly and clearly and in front of other workers if possible.
Remember power is like a see-saw. If one tries to unbalance it in the workplace you need to quickly and decisively rebalance.
*Never ever jump when they say jump if it is an unreasonable request. The moment you jump to an unreasonable request you will never gain your power back. You've lost it and with it any hope of happiness in that workplace. Your employer has his/her see-saw end on the ground with you up in the air and you just allowed it to happen.
Unfortunately people like this inhabit every crack in society in this country. It's called narcissism personality disorder, where they see the workplace rules not applying to them. You see it more in rural areas than cities for sure, just because these types are more visible. In cities they blend in.
I'm a truckie. At a rural location I was screamed at to move a rolled up 15m long 350kg wet canvas tarp, which was impossible by myself. I said calmly, "Either come over and help me or get a forklift."
You see it wasn't my tarp, it was theirs, only I had used it on their trailer carting product for them.
I folded it up as instructed but couldn't move it as it is far too heavy for one man to move on his own.
I told them it was wet and it needed airing but they told me to do as I was told. Fair enough. I folded it up and after that, that was when the trouble started because they told me to move it 30m across a warehouse on my own.
After the aforementioned suggestions of help or a forklift, I just said, "No, that is an unreasonable request and I refuse."
Then the screaming, the ranting the raving.
They threatened the supervisor. I said, "Yep you better get him but I still won't move it - just so you know." He came out told me to move it, I explained, he didn't listen then I said, "No," then the branch manager - same story and I repeated, "No."
At the end they're all standing there opposite me. I can see they're at a loss of how to deal with me (since it isn't about the tarp). I couldn't resist and taunted them all by saying very calmly and with a smile on my face (I'm taking the piss but they're too arrogant to understand), "Look it's like this, you can take me to the High Court of Australia and if they tell me to move the tarp I still won't move it. Ring my boss, ring the police, do whatever you have to do and I still won't move the tarp. Get me sacked I really don't mind in fact I couldn't care less." (which is true because there's a severe shortage of truck drivers).
18 months later the bloody tarp is still sitting exactly where I rolled it up. Replacement cost for that tarp might be $8-$12,000. It will be rotted. I don't care it's not my tarp. My boss doesn't care either. I still go there and never have any trouble, in fact they get me in and out quickly.
This is how you have to be.
Good to see comments that support your Endurance, that you still maintain that Stiff upper lip, stayed calm and carried on is CREDIT to you and your race ,unbelievable 😮😮😮😮
I gave up after the first paragraph, yawn
Well done Sir ❤❤
FFS
@@sickntired553found the management
It’s really amazing that you are alive to talk about this. The bad luck of all of it is crazy! Glad you made it.
Just another winging Pom. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
A bunch of young people in a hostel is kind of like an army barracks. There are so many cleanliness rules in a barracks for just this reason.
There is definitely a bit of a bullying, sadistic underbelly in some Aussie communities. You have a great attitude to what happened to you. I would be far less forgiving and I live in Melbourne.
Some? That trait is marbled throughout the native white population. Once a penal colony; now a police state.
They proved it by voting in a certain John Howard, an odious little bigot if ever there was one; 4 times.. . .
lol Melbourne is the sadism capital of Oz...
I’ve seen it a lot more here than the uk
Damn, I'm sorry you had to go through that man. Very glad to see you're doing well now!
Im an English/ Australian Teacher!.We were camping in Apple country in Western Australia.I spoke to lots of young naive students wanting to travel Australia but the price was a HARD (Slave )labour picking fruit day after day !
Most had stories of bullying exploitation and dishonest GREEDY farmers.
Think twice peeps .. Character building it is NOT😡🇦🇺
The Australians I met in thialand very agresive top three things they love fuck drink and fight
One thing I learned in my 74 years on earth is to never accept abuse from anyone even an employer, even someone with power over you. As a mother and a grandmother, your story touched my heart. Sending you healing vibes from hawaii. Aloha
I remember a few years back-the politicians complaining about the unemployed and wanting them to go out on farms for 3-6 mths. I thought to myself, I wouldn't go, and I wouldn't let my kids go either. [having heard some horrible stories of mistreatment]
so your all on the dole then
What a series of events in Australia! As an Australian was so sad to hear about the banana farm episode and your health issues. It for a long times seems that some farmers have been exploiting tourists and getting away with it. There needs to be a board for tourists on visas to report to and expose farms for unfair treatment, conditions and abuse. And it needs to be taken seriously. Sounds like some farm owners are not conforming to fair conditions such as a safe workplace, harassment and abusive treatment of workers. This needs to be investigated immediately and a questionnaire filled in by each worker on their experience, treatment and conditions at the particular farm of employment. Glad you are happy in New Zealand it looks like gods country by the pictures I have seen and would love to visit and learn about the Maori culture.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. So glad you’re doing better. I contacted MRSA from a prison that I worked at but much better today. ANYTIME you ever get cut on a farm you should immediately go to see a doctor because the knife that cut you is most likely crawling with diseases.
If a person gets cut, it's very important to see a doctor right away. Here in America, a person usually gets a Tetanus injection and put on an antibiotic.
how long were you in hospital for? or you are just Mrsa is a very deadly disease , Did it get in the bloodstream or just some sores on your skin ?
Man you have been through a lot, you're a talented storyteller and you kept us engaged with your story. Unfortunately, some of the temporary visa holders fall for some bad employers who abuse their situation and need to extend their visas. Australia as a country is an amazing place and I have been lucky to move here 8 years ago with a PR visa. As for your story, you were meant to end up in New Zealand and it seems to be the right place for you at this time.
Oh man! I’m so sorry about your experience! I’m a farmer in Victoria. If you ever want to have a good farming experience in Australia, with no nasty tropical illnesses no abusive people, you’re welcome down here, there are loads of nice farms here. Beef, lamb and grains primarily down here, no bananas.
You guys tried to wipe out the Mcivor spider orchid. Shame.
@@petermurdoch7540 Shame you turned this into that!
@@petermurdoch7540 who wiped it out? I’m none too sure what you mean. But it’s amazing that you’ve mentioned that species, there is some only metres from where I am right at this moment. As we speak I’m at Portland Aluminium which is a part of the ANPC orchid conservation program, and we have spider orchids here, part of the program.
As a regenerative agricultural farmer this sort of thing is what I do. As do many of the farmers here.
@@moonsharn say what you like, Vic farmers aren’t good guys. The truest rednecks in Australia live in the Mallee. Human filth.
So brilliantly told! You’re a great story-teller.
Omg. That’s terrible, can’t believe your troubles in Australia
I'm from Australia and live in Innisfail. I'm SO SO sorry for the experience you had. We appreciate all the backpackers and Islanders who come to help pick bananas. It is a rough job and hard work.
Injuries are common, unfortunately.
I hope it wasn't all horrible and you were able to explore some of what this beautiful place has to offer.
Queensland is a failed state so it is to be expected
How do you know that he wasn’t a lazy kunt ?
Two sides to every story and then is the truth ! 😜
Kristym100...get a job on a banana farm for 6 weeks
@@backseatgaming9087 where are you from mate if you don't mind me asking?
@@Kevin-x9g2b ???? She said it's a hard job? What are you getting at?
So sorry that you suffered under the farmer and major illnesses. Bless you and your family. So thankful that you made it through and recovered.
I’m sorry to hear about the farmers!! But I’m glad you’re here in New Zealand! We love having you here ❤️✨
New Zealand is Brit infested - no shep you love having him there.
This is honestly disgusting, as a local, im really sorry that this was your experience in australia, weird that there are bed bugs in melbourne, over my 13 years if living, ive never seen any, i hope you never have experiences like this ever again in your life
I second that!
I did about 6 years on various farms around New Zealand and while I did love the work and lifestyle, I met a lot of angry, mentally messed up people.
It’s common knowledge how the farmers treat backpackers , same goes for international students working in cafes and restaurants .
The Australian culture in the workplace is vulgar!! Too much bullying, intimidation tactics, and aggressive verbal behaviour 🧐 It is disgraceful. People in positions of power THINK this is professional.
Its not.
This mentality is everywhere and everywhere everyone gets away with it. Lying through their lies. I LOVE working with other cultures...they are approachable and respectful 🙏🤗
💯 agree. Worked in offices most of my life and it’s a veneer of professionalism only because of the attire. I’ve experienced all of the above.
This is a late comment, but as a member of staff at RMH, thank you! It’s an organisation the size of a country town, so not everyone is always amazing all the time, but I am proud of the general ethos and genuine care for patients 😊
With regards to the painkiller thing, I would note that in my experience working alongside doctors and as a patient, most of them don’t prescribe heavy painkillers unless absolutely called for. But what you went through was genuinely scary, painful, and extreme, so you got the big guns. The difference between here and the UK (which I lived in for a couple of years and had as lot of experience in that time with the NHS) is that once you get to the worryingly painful threshold they automatically start tending to the pain proportionately, but then scale back as soon as possible. In the nhs I found there was a greater hesitancy with providing any pain relief of analgesia at all, not just because of the opioid crisis (which, fair -it’s a concern here too) but also a sense of cost saving as well (eg gastroscopies performed with patients awake and no sedation)
I must reply to you re. the NHS. I am 86 yrs old and have had a lot of ops. Two knees, two hips, hysterectomy, bowel op for diverticulosis, toe ops for arthritis and am just about to have a heart valve repair, keyhole. Every time they have almost pressed me to take pain killers and have always been very generous with them. I do not think they try to save money on pain killers. I was given morphine to take home which I did not really need so I really do have to dispute what you say.
I'm appalled to hear of this and am very sorry your experience in my country was so horrific. I hope you are doing better now and am glad you found a good life in NZ. Live well!
My sister and her partner ran a pub in Innisfail. She is a total bitch and I know they treated the backpackers that worked and stayed at the Pub like crap. I clicked on your video thinking that maybe you had a run in with the witch of the North. Quite believable that the farmer was a tool bag. They inherit these properties and most of them are clueless. I am glad that the Medicos took good care of you. New Zealand is indeed a beautiful place. I sometimes miss Australia but stories like this make me sad to be an Aussie. Good luck with all the you are out to achieve.
Wow, glad to have you on our side of the Tasman! The main reason why I am self employed is that I worked for years for abusive and narcissistic people ; Never again. No one deserves to be in a place where they are treated poorly. Hope you have a long and happy life here 😃😃😃😃
100% well said!! In my experience, I've suffered work bullying & it includes when you do jobs you aren't paid for too sadly.. I'm now self employed too & very happy - I tried starting jobs working for others but it never worked out so being self-employed does ❤️😊
You are wise not to return to Australia...see the attitude of courtneymacgregor, criminologist degree, country girl from a west queensland farming family, an investigator...quit, lives on the beac...farming too hard for her
@@Kevin-x9g2b 100% agree, people with degrees & say they've grown up on a farm don't necessarily know what it's like as other people who've actually worked on a farm?
Tasman? Weren't they exterminated by the British?
Canadian here, I spent 18 months in Australia and became a resident of Aotearoa where I was for two years. I lived in a small town north of Christchurch called Rangiora. The two years I was in NZ are to date the happiest of my life. I slept like a baby, quit smoking, drinking and most importantly I quit worrying about my position in the rat race. I loved Australia but New Zealand had an extremely calming effect on me. It was the first time in my life that I knew I was going to be okay in life. The scenery and wildlife is amazing but it's the people of NZ that made me enamoured of it. I returned to Canada for what was supposedly a temporary visit to confirm to my family I was going to remain in NZ but... I miss it once a day, every day.
New zeal and is great
New Zealand is different from Australia.There are gangs,there,though.
SO have Aussies
I'm Australian. I'm utterly embarrassed by this country
The irony is, if you get NZ Citizenship you can come to Australia without a visa and have working rights!
I was just thinking the same lol
Like half of NZ has done already.
Hhhhaaa yeah exactly kiwis passport, straight to Australia. Automatically get a bouncer job in kings cross
My Kiwi wife and myself (Canadian) have been watching your vids for a while now. I think this one is my favourite of the lot. You really do have a way with the craft of storytelling.
Fwiw (and you probably already know this), once you get NZ citizenship, you'll have more flexibility with options in Aus. Not that I'm suggesting you leave the lovely NZ :)
He said he'd never go back lol.
The only reason NZ’s grass is greener than Australia’s, is because of all the Kiwi’s here, stomping on our grass.
@@pattisonpattison3639😅😅😅
I remember a NZ Prime minister saying......for every New Zealander who leaves and settles in Australia the IQ of both countries rise .
@@margaretingleby679 that's old now. All the smart Kiwi's are all in Australia..
NZ is poorer for this..
What a crazy chaotic story Curls .. So glad you made it through in the end, and are happily enjoying our NZ way of life down under. We are thrilled to have you here, love the video content and the way you tell the stories.
Maybe not as an exploited worker but a tourist would be fair enough…
Why did the farmers have to scream at all the workers and degrade them?? Your overall attitude and coping skills are heroic. Australia lost out!!!
good news, due to covid and the government closing the boarders and all the slave labor (i mean backpackers) going home, the fruit farming industry struggled to get workers the farmers asked for government handouts and the media shed light on their dodgy practices, now farmers are forced to pay minimum wage. i'm australian spent 3 days in 40 degree heat dressed head to toa climbing ladders picking pears for 12 hours a day to make 1/3rd of minimum wage, you dont even work for the farmer you work for some indian contractor guy that is hired by the farmer so the farmer pays him and he pays you. and then he charges you $20 a day to drive you to and from the farm.
That whole industry can go to hell. it needs to be reformed.