Recognise Anti-Poverty week with a lively discussion on the topic of wage theft as a form of poverty and hardship. 

Anti-Poverty Week was established in Australia as an expansion of the United Nation’s annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17. The aim of the week is to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world, and in Australia.

Come along on Monday 15 October from 5pm to 6.30pm and join in the conversation with expert worker’s rights advocates who will highlight the impacts of wage theft as a contributor to poverty, not only on the individual but as a greater cost to the community.  This free event will focus on those members of our community who are most impacted by wage theft including young people, international students and casual and migrant workers. 

Our panel speakers are:
• Harry Connor, Hospo Voice
• Tilde Joy, Retail and Fast Food Workers Union
• Patrick Faulkner, Young Workers Centre
• Putri Mahezan, National Union of Workers

The event will be located in the community room on the 3rd floor at Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library.

Light refreshments will be provided.

You must register to attend this free event. 

About our Panelists

Harry Connor, representative of Hospo Voice, shares a wealth of experience on illegal practices in the local hospitality industry having worked in the sector for 14 years. He’s worked in kitchens, behind the bar, on the floor and as a manager. He’s found that venues that pay correct award and penalties rates are the exception rather than the rule. Earlier this year he spoke out about wage theft at popular Melbourne venue, Hairy Little Sista after they refused to pay him, leading to extreme financial pressure on Harry. He has been struggling to get his life and career back on track despite the obvious pitfalls of working in the Melbourne Hospitality industry.

Tilde Joy, member of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union and involved in trade unions all of her working life, is passionate about fighting for better conditions and giving workers a chance to be heard and start calling the shots. Tilde has been working at Officeworks for a year, previously having worked at Hungry Jack's as a teenager where she experienced exploitative junior wages and loss of penalty rates. As a transgender woman, Tilde is keen to focus on the particular issues LGBTIQA+ workers encounter, as well as being a queer voice and a queer ear for the union.

Patrick Faulkner, from the Young Workers Centre, seeks to empower young people working in Victoria with the knowledge and skills needed to end workplace exploitation and insecurity by providing key legal advice regarding young people’s rights at work or who need assistance in resolving workplace issues.

Putri Mahezan is a union leader from Malaysia who has helped build a strong union at A&G Lamattina & Sons Celery and Leek Farm in Rosebud, where she currently works, as well as at large produce farms in Gippsland, Griffith and Sunraysia. She has experienced wage theft as an employee in the farming sector, which is a common experience for many migrant workers along with other barriers including a significant number of workers being undocumented.