More to be done to support migrant workers following death of Jerwin Royupa, 21, at NSW winery

The heartbroken sister of a young Filipino national who died just six weeks after starting work in Australia says more needs to be done to keep migrant workers safe in Australia.

The 21-year-old actor came to Australia on a 407 education visa with big dreams of learning and providing for his family.

However, his life was cut tragically short when he died at a winery in NSW in March 2019 from injuries allegedly sustained from a moving vehicle driven by his sponsor.

His sister Jessa Joy Royupa said last Friday that his death would not be in vain, following a landmark inquest that made a series of recommendations to ensure the same fate does not befall other migrant workers.

“Jerwin came to Australia to learn new skills in his chosen agricultural profession,” he told media last week.

“He wanted to use those skills to support our parents.”

Seven years after his death, the family is only now getting answers and Jessa said Australia “needs to do better” to protect vulnerable migrant workers.

“Many Filipinos work abroad and we know the risks involved. My sister worked in Jamaica, the Middle East and North Africa and returned home safe.” he said.

“We all thought Jerwin would be safe in Australia but he wasn’t.”

“No family should experience the kind of heartbreak we experienced.

“Jerwin is not the first foreign worker to die in Australia. Australia’s reputation as a safe destination for workers is at stake. You must do better.”

‘A form of modern slavery’

Nearly 306,000 migrant workers arrived in Australia in 2024-25, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), but experts say not enough is being done to ensure their safety and labor rights.

Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans said Jerwin’s investigation had revealed serious failings in the protection of overseas trainees.

“This case heard evidence of multiple indicators of forced labour, a form of modern slavery,” he said.

Mr Evans said Jerwin, who worked 60 hours a week without pay in extreme heat, was “isolated and extremely vulnerable”, common risk factors for mistreated migrant workers in Australia.

The 21-year-old man tried to seek help from government agencies in the days leading up to his death but “tragically failed”.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the Royupa family who have campaigned tirelessly to shine a light on Jerwin’s death and the vulnerability of study visa holders,” Mr Evans said.

“Jerwin deserved protection and support. Our systems failed to provide that.”

Mr Evans said the current study visa framework failed to protect holders and also “contributed to the conditions under which exploitation can thrive”.

“I welcome the coroner’s findings and recommendations and am keen to assist the government in taking the significant actions needed to better protect other Visa holders,” he said.

Landmark research

The investigation is considered to be the first in Australia to examine forced labor concerns.

The investigation examined allegations that Mr Royupa was exploited in the course of his employment as he was required to do manual labor at the winery for long hours (up to 10 hours a day) without receiving the training he was promised.

Deputy NSW Coroner Rebecca Hosking told the court the summary of evidence presented to the court would be referred to the Australian Federal Police for further investigations.

It found that Mr Royupa died at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from complications of multiple blunt force injuries after voluntarily exiting a vehicle driven by his sponsor.

In the days before his death, Ms Hosking said Mr Royupa had become increasingly frightened throughout his employment, admitting he was not paid as agreed and did not have access to his passport.

He said the sponsor, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, knew that he would be financially responsible if Mr Royupa escaped.

He added that the 21-year-old football player’s sponsor showed “pathetic” behavior, did not call an ambulance immediately after the incident, and then continued to humiliate him while he was unconscious.

Among other recommendations, Ms Hosking said the Home Secretary should conduct a comprehensive internal review with lessons learned from Mr Royupa’s death.

He also said there was a need for a formal review process into the Home Office’s role in reviewing 407 education visas that could be used for abuse.

It recommends that both state and federal anti-slavery commissioners work with government bodies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman, to consider measures to improve the reporting of modern slavery crimes, including the development of a national slavery helpline.

‘The lack of security is shameful’

Meanwhile, Domus 8.7, a modern slavery recovery service for Australian Catholic organisations, hailed the inquiry as a turning point in Australia’s response to forced labour, a form of modern slavery.

“Our hearts go out to the Royupa family. They have bravely fought this investigation and have been waiting for answers about Jerwin’s death for far too long. Despite a thorough investigation,” Experience Leader Moe Turaga said outside court.

“Many of the questions remain unanswered due to investigative failures highlighted by the coroner.”

Mr Turaga said the investigation had found that safeguards against forced labor were shamefully lacking in Australia. He called for Australia’s modern slavery laws to be urgently strengthened.

“The Coroner’s findings reveal a failure by the Home Office to carry out basic due diligence checks on a visa sponsor, which left Jerwin isolated, scared and unsure of who to call for help.”

“The tragedy of Jerwin Royupa’s death must be a turning point.”