Cyril Roger Brossard
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 408
The architect of a Broome-based Timorese maritime training program claims WA pearl producer Clipper Pearls has exposed cadets to "extreme and unsafe" working conditions at sea, resulting in fatigue, sickness and injury.
In 2010, Timor-Leste Australia Development Facility chief executive Kevin Austin partnered Clipper Pearls to train 16 Timorese to become pearl divers and deckhands over two years under Australian employment and safety conditions.
A joint pilot program of the Australian and East Timorese governments, it was the first time foreigners had been allowed to do paid training in a primary industry in WA, using stream three of the 442 visa scheme.
Mr Austin has demanded an investigation into the safety and self-regulation of WA's $200 million pearling industry, claiming the Timorese were asked to meet excessive production targets.
He claims the cadets were forced to lift heavy double pearl shell panels that Australians had refused to lift for safety reasons.
He also claims the cadets' meals were delayed and work hours extended, resulting in sickness, injury and fatigue.
Mr Austin said Clipper Pearls had refused his requests to introduce critical safety measures, including standard operating procedures and checklists for duties at sea.
Complaints to Clipper Pearls' parent company, Autore Pearls, had resulted in the partnership being terminated.
He has since contacted WorkSafe and Fair Work Australia and briefed the Department of Immigration after two cadets were, he claimed, "unfairly terminated".
WorkSafe has confirmed it is investigating the claims.
This morning Clipper Pearls said it was "currently assisting Fair Work Australia and Work Safe WA with these persistent and unsubstantiated allegations".
"The company engages our employee’s daily on any work related issues, and the accusations made by the CEO of the facility are neither reciprocated nor initiated by the cadets," a statement from Clipper Pearls said. "The cadets are understandably extremely disappointed by the relevant media releases and news articles, which have clearly strained relations between them as a collective team, and the CEO of the Facility.
"We have constantly engaged Fair Work Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and in particular Work Safe WA to ensure we are compliant in all facets of visa responsibility, fair work regulations, Aquaculture Award advice and interpretation, and ultimately safe work practices.
"Our response and support from these government departments have been very positive in dealing with these issues, which we strongly believe will be finalized shortly."
Mr Austin said East Timor was keen to co-operate with Australia in aiding development of its marine and fishing industries but could not do so when conditions in the industry were "unsafe".
Article by Flip Prior, updated July 2012 and re-posted on The West Australian
Reply from Clipper Pearls:
Pearlers dismiss cadet claims
Clipper Pearls and its parent company Autore Pearling have dismissed claims that Timorese cadets working for them in Broome were exposed to unsafe working conditions at sea and forced to meet excessive production targets.
Last week, Timor-Leste Australia Development Facility chief executive Kevin Austin claimed the companies had unfairly terminated two workers as he demanded an investigation into the safety and practices of WA's $200 million pearling industry.
The cadets are in WA through a joint pilot program of the Australian and East Timorese governments, which allows them to do two years of paid training in primary industries through the 442 visa scheme.
A spokesman for Clipper and Autore denied Mr Austin's "unsubstantiated allegations" and said Clipper was helping Fair Work Australia and WorkSafe WA deal with the allegations.
He said the company worked closely with the watchdogs, the Department of Immigration and the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry to ensure compliance in all facets of visa responsibility, fair work regulations, Aquaculture Award advice and safe work practices.
"The response and support from these government departments have been very positive in dealing with these issues, which we strongly believe will be finalised shortly," the spokesman said.
Relations between the cadets working in Broome and the facility had become strained after reports of the allegations, he said.
The spokesman said Clipper and Autore were now working with the Consulate-General of the Republic of Timor-Leste to explore getting employees from other training facilities in the developing nation.
Pearl Producers Association executive officer Brett McCallum said the association was not involved in the contractual, visa or management arrangements for the Timorese workers, but the association would assist authorities with any investigation.
In 2010, Timor-Leste Australia Development Facility chief executive Kevin Austin partnered Clipper Pearls to train 16 Timorese to become pearl divers and deckhands over two years under Australian employment and safety conditions.
A joint pilot program of the Australian and East Timorese governments, it was the first time foreigners had been allowed to do paid training in a primary industry in WA, using stream three of the 442 visa scheme.
Mr Austin has demanded an investigation into the safety and self-regulation of WA's $200 million pearling industry, claiming the Timorese were asked to meet excessive production targets.
He claims the cadets were forced to lift heavy double pearl shell panels that Australians had refused to lift for safety reasons.
He also claims the cadets' meals were delayed and work hours extended, resulting in sickness, injury and fatigue.
Mr Austin said Clipper Pearls had refused his requests to introduce critical safety measures, including standard operating procedures and checklists for duties at sea.
Complaints to Clipper Pearls' parent company, Autore Pearls, had resulted in the partnership being terminated.
He has since contacted WorkSafe and Fair Work Australia and briefed the Department of Immigration after two cadets were, he claimed, "unfairly terminated".
WorkSafe has confirmed it is investigating the claims.
This morning Clipper Pearls said it was "currently assisting Fair Work Australia and Work Safe WA with these persistent and unsubstantiated allegations".
"The company engages our employee’s daily on any work related issues, and the accusations made by the CEO of the facility are neither reciprocated nor initiated by the cadets," a statement from Clipper Pearls said. "The cadets are understandably extremely disappointed by the relevant media releases and news articles, which have clearly strained relations between them as a collective team, and the CEO of the Facility.
"We have constantly engaged Fair Work Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and in particular Work Safe WA to ensure we are compliant in all facets of visa responsibility, fair work regulations, Aquaculture Award advice and interpretation, and ultimately safe work practices.
"Our response and support from these government departments have been very positive in dealing with these issues, which we strongly believe will be finalized shortly."
Mr Austin said East Timor was keen to co-operate with Australia in aiding development of its marine and fishing industries but could not do so when conditions in the industry were "unsafe".
Article by Flip Prior, updated July 2012 and re-posted on The West Australian
Reply from Clipper Pearls:
Pearlers dismiss cadet claims
Clipper Pearls and its parent company Autore Pearling have dismissed claims that Timorese cadets working for them in Broome were exposed to unsafe working conditions at sea and forced to meet excessive production targets.
Last week, Timor-Leste Australia Development Facility chief executive Kevin Austin claimed the companies had unfairly terminated two workers as he demanded an investigation into the safety and practices of WA's $200 million pearling industry.
The cadets are in WA through a joint pilot program of the Australian and East Timorese governments, which allows them to do two years of paid training in primary industries through the 442 visa scheme.
A spokesman for Clipper and Autore denied Mr Austin's "unsubstantiated allegations" and said Clipper was helping Fair Work Australia and WorkSafe WA deal with the allegations.
He said the company worked closely with the watchdogs, the Department of Immigration and the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry to ensure compliance in all facets of visa responsibility, fair work regulations, Aquaculture Award advice and safe work practices.
"The response and support from these government departments have been very positive in dealing with these issues, which we strongly believe will be finalised shortly," the spokesman said.
Relations between the cadets working in Broome and the facility had become strained after reports of the allegations, he said.
The spokesman said Clipper and Autore were now working with the Consulate-General of the Republic of Timor-Leste to explore getting employees from other training facilities in the developing nation.
Pearl Producers Association executive officer Brett McCallum said the association was not involved in the contractual, visa or management arrangements for the Timorese workers, but the association would assist authorities with any investigation.
Last edited:
