Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
Chinese plasterers say they were underpaid on Bendigo housing project
About 30 Chinese plasterers say they were underpaid for work on a social housing project in Bendigo, Victoria.
The project cost $44 million and created 73 homes, which were officially opened by Labor politicians.
The workers say they are each owed between $5,000 and $30,000.
They allege an underworld-linked venture secured work on the project, but these claims are not established as fact.
Hansen Yuncken has ordered an investigation into possible underworld links in its supply chain and alleged underpayment at the site.
CFMEU administrator Michael Crosby has promised action and said major contractors and the union must address suspected misconduct.
The dispute has drawn attention to allegations of exploitation among foreign workers in Victoria’s plastering trade.
About 30 Chinese plasterers say they were underpaid on a Bendigo social housing project.
The workers say they are each owed between $5,000 and $30,000.
The $44 million St Andrews development includes 73 homes and was officially opened in March.
Hansen Yuncken said it had ordered an investigation into alleged underpayment and possible underworld links in its supply chain.
CFMEU administrator Michael Crosby said plasterers in Victoria and NSW were paid far below the applicable agreement rate.
- Who
- About 30 Chinese plasterers who worked on the Bendigo project.
- What
- They say they were underpaid and are each owed between $5,000 and $30,000.
- When
- The dates of the alleged underpayment are not stated. The workers recently travelled to Melbourne to speak about their claims.
- Where
- The St Andrews social housing development in Bendigo, Victoria.
- Why
- The workers spoke out about their claims of underpayment and exploitation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The St Andrews social housing development in Bendigo was officially opened.
About 30 Chinese plasterers travelled to Melbourne’s CBD to speak about their claims.
- Homes
- 73 new homes at the St Andrews development
- Project cost
- $44 million
- Workers
- About 30 Chinese plasterers
- Amount claimed owed
- $5,000 to $30,000 per worker
- Plastering agreement rate
- About $60 an hour plus superannuation and other benefits
What people are saying
The treatment of Chinese workers in both NSW and Victoria is a major concern to the union and is akin to slavery
We know that in both states, workers in plastering trades are paid cash in hand amounts of between $20 and $40 per hour – far below the applicable EBA rate.
Every Victorian family deserves a safe home – Labor is delivering that in Bendigo and across Victoria
what happens when Labor governments work together