Laura Denby, a British expat and IT business analyst in Sydney, voiced concerns over Australia’s workplace laws after missing out on $40,000 in entitlements when her employer, Xam Consulting, entered liquidation. Having moved to Australia six years ago on a working holiday visa and subsequently applying for permanent residency, Denby’s life was upended when the company’s closure caught her and her colleagues by surprise.
During a meeting with liquidators, employees learned about their rights under the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) scheme, which unfortunately excluded temporary visa holders like Denby. She described the experience as devastating, leading to financial strain, exacerbated health issues, and stress, especially as she was bound to a lease she could no longer afford.
While Denby quickly secured a new job, she highlighted the injustice faced by migrant workers who contribute significantly to the Australian economy yet receive no safety net when employers fail. She initiated a petition advocating for the inclusion of temporary workers in the FEG scheme, arguing that their exclusion is discriminatory.
Despite support from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Denby withdraw her visa application and now finds herself starting anew in the lengthy process of seeking permanent residency sponsorship again.