The Guardian 26 April, 2006
Painter fights for pay from UTS site
Iranian building worker Golshan Hedayat is fighting for thousands of dollars in pay and entitlements after being ripped off by painting contractor Express Deco, according to the union representing him. Mr Hedayat initially worked for five months without any pay whatsoever and is the latest in a string of immigrant workers employed by Express Deco who have come forward with horrific stories of long hours, massive underpayment of wages and alleged threats of violence.
"Express Deco expected us to work long hours, up to 16 hours some days, for six or seven days a week", he said. "For five months I was not paid at all, but I didn’t know where to turn for help.
"Eventually he agreed to pay me some money, but I only received approximately 50 percent of my legal entitlements and I didn’t get payment for overtime, sick leave, public holidays, annual leave or superannuation."
Mr Hedayat worked on the extension and refurbishment of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Science Faculty building in Ultimo and is now campaigning to get the payment he is owed.
He is one of dozens of Iranian workers that have been viciously exploited and abused by Express Deco and are now being represented by the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU).
CFMEU NSW Secretary Andrew Ferguson said Mr Hedayat’s treatment was outrageous.
"Mr Hedayat’s family came to Australia for a better life, and instead he has suffered unbelievable exploitation and abuse, reminiscent of the repressive Iranian regime he fled", Mr Ferguson said.
"Too many immigrant building workers are being used as cheap labour in Australia." Express Deco pays cash-in-hand to many workers, avoiding taxation payments and workers’ compensation payments.
"Unscrupulous employers who exploit migrant workers are not only harming workers and their families, but they are also destroying legitimate small businesses that pay proper wages and conditions", said Mr Ferguson.J
What you can do:
Telephone or fax your demand for ethical labour practices for all workers who work at the University of Technology by contacting the Vice Chancellor of UTS, Professor Ross Milbourne on:
Telephone: 02 9514 1330 or Fax: 02 9514 1300;
E-mail the Vice Chancellor of UTS, Professor Ross Milbourne,
demanding that Golshan Hedayat be paid all his entitlements.
Email: ross.milbourne@uts.edu.au