To some early morning crime news and a West Australian couple previously charged over allegedly keeping an employee in debt bondage are expected to appear in court today, charged with additional offences relating to six others.
Australian Federal Police first charged the man, 32, and woman, 37, from Ocean Reef in May after investigating allegations they provided false details on visa applications for a foreign worker who came to Australia in late 2023 to work as a masseuse in their business in regional WA.
The AFP will the pair exploited vulnerable foreign workers. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The couple is accused of mistreating the woman after her arrival, including by allegedly taking her passport illegally, underpaying her and forcing her to pay off debts that were excessive or unreasonably allocated.
After further inquiries, the AFP has charged them with additional offences over allegations they submitted false information on multiple visa documents relating to the 36-year-old and on visa applications for another six foreign workers.
Only one of those other workers, the now-38-year-old, arrived in Australia. She was employed at the couple’s massage business in early 2023 but ceased employment after three months.
AFP Human Trafficking Team acting Sergeant Kevin Loermans said police would allege the couple had repeatedly tried to subvert immigration laws.
“We allege they aimed to profit from exploiting vulnerable foreign workers who may be unwilling to complain because they have fewer support networks and less understanding of workers’ rights in Australia or the help available to protect them,” he said.