Backpackers concerned about their pay in jobs in Queensland, Australia, could buy
gap year travel insurance as general protection.
ABC News reports that overseas workers are having problems collecting their pay from horticultural businesses in the Bundaberg region of the state, despite a recent clampdown that saw $70,000 (£35,080) in unpaid wages returned to former employees.
A regional audit found that almost 75 per cent of local businesses were breaching the Workplace Relations Act in some way, which is likely to draw negative publicity.
Don Brown, Queensland workplace ombudsman, told the website: "Generally the complaints relate to the amount of money people get paid as opposed to the amount of money they should be paid."
He added that complaints had also been received to do with health and safety standards in some businesses.
Backpackers could buy
online travel insurance to give themselves added protection when they seek work overseas.
Jobs such as fruit-picking are very popular as their short-term nature means travellers can work for a few days or weeks and use the money to fund the next part of their trip.
Check out Downunder's quote engine for
cheap travel insurance to Oz.
