The tragic passing of a Filipino worker in southern New South Wales has prompted the Australian Federal Police to launch an investigation following the conclusions reached during a coronial inquest.
Deputy State Coroner Rebecca Hosking revealed that Jerwin Royupa experienced "exploitation" and was subject to "potentially criminal" activities while working in regional NSW. This three-day coronial inquest, which took place in December 2024, focused on the labor conditions Mr. Royupa endured at a winery located in the southern part of the state.
Mr. Royupa made his way to Australia in February 2019 on a 407 training visa, designed for individuals to engage in workplace-based occupational training. Sadly, just five weeks after his arrival, he died under distressing circumstances, reportedly after leaving a moving vehicle.
In delivering her findings, Coroner Hosking stated that Mr. Royupa passed away on March 15 at the Royal Melbourne Hospital due to injuries caused by blunt force trauma. From March 10 to 14, 2019, Mr. Royupa grew increasingly distressed, particularly feeling threatened when "operator one," a reference to a supervisor or employer, suggested they take him either to the airport or a police station just before he exited the vehicle in fear.
During the inquest, it was revealed that Mr. Royupa was owed over 200 hours of unpaid wages while working at the vineyard. Testimony indicated that he was promised a mere $134.92 monthly payment for ten-hour days, six days a week, with his sponsor withholding his earnings for the initial six-month period. Coroner Hosking concluded, "I find that in this five-week duration, Jerwin was exploited." She further stated, "While he was promised compensation, the amount was entirely insufficient."
Additionally, she pointed out that Mr. Royupa was compelled to work outdoors in excessive heat without adequate protection such as sunscreen or appropriate clothing. The coroner emphasized that the conditions he faced were not just inappropriate but could be considered "potentially criminal," criticizing the Department of Home Affairs for approving his training visa under these circumstances.
Mr. Royupa's sister, Jessa Joy, expressed her heartbreak over the loss of her brother, describing him as a "young man with everything to live for." She reflected, "Six years ago, my little brother Jerwin left our family home in the Philippines filled with hopes and dreams. He came to Australia seeking to learn new skills in agriculture, aiming to use them to support our parents." She lamented that while many Filipinos are aware of the dangers of working abroad, they believed Jerwin would be safe in Australia—a belief that proved tragically false.
Following the inquest, Coroner Hosking proposed six recommendations aimed at addressing the issues uncovered during the proceedings. Among these was the suggestion that the transcript be forwarded to the Australian Federal Police for "further investigations." She also urged the Minister of Home Affairs to conduct an internal review to identify potential lessons learned and recommended considering a formal examination of the department's role in approving subclass 407 training visas.
This includes a focus on pay and employment conditions, along with necessary monitoring and support. Furthermore, she advised that the NSW Police Commissioner collaborate with the state's anti-slavery commissioner to develop and implement mandatory training on modern slavery for officers working in "high-risk areas" where such exploitative conditions may emerge.
