Hotels working to stamp out labour exploitation

The Australian Hotels Association is working to eliminate people trafficking and labour exploitation in the hotel industry through a national government-funded education program announced today.

The AHA has received funding from the Australian Government under the Proceeds of Crime Act to raise awareness of people trafficking and improve prevention methods.

AHA Corporate Affairs Manager Steven Fanner said the AHA is committed to helping its members combat people traffickers and maintain the security and integrity of hotel workplaces.

“Hotels aim to provide safe and secure employment, but unfortunately the industry can be the target of people traffickers looking to exploit overseas workers”, Mr Fanner said.

“The AHA is providing hotels with a range of resources that will help employers to guard against being workers being exploited in their workplaces.

“Hotels will have access to information explaining various forms of slavery and labour exploitation, how to identify potentially trafficked workers, and what to do if employers suspect a worker has been exploited by a third party.

“The AHA is also providing important information on how to legally employ overseas workers in the hotel industry.

“Our five thousand members will each receive educational materials by post and will be able to access further online resources through the AHA website. In addition, the AHA’s national network of workplace relations specialists is able to provide advice and guidance to members seeking assistance.

“There are three main ways hotels can unwittingly come into contact with people traffickers, through the employment of overseas workers, by engaging contracted labour, and by engaging suppliers who may be exploiting workers.

“The AHA is pleased to have the funding support of the Australian Government to enable it to deliver this information to help hotel industry employers maintain the integrity of their workplaces.”

The Australian Hotels Association is an organisation of employers in the hotel and hospitality industry registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009, and is a member of the Federal Government’s National Roundtable on People Trafficking.

For more information visit www.aha.org.au.

Source: Australian Hotel Association, 4 May 2012