Exploited worker’s death sparks anti-slavery calls

Jerwin Royupa was full of dreams and eager to learn new skills when he arrived in Australia to work at an isolated winery in rural NSW.

Five weeks later, the 21-year-old died from injuries he sustained while exiting a moving vehicle driven by his study visa sponsor.

His death sparked calls for improved reporting of modern slavery crimes and the establishment of a national anti-slavery helpline.

The investigation into his death said the recent university graduate was exploited by his employer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Coroner Rebecca Hosking found that he had to work 60 hours a week at hard labour, without receiving any of the training he was promised, and that he had not been paid as agreed.

The 21-year-old could not access his passport during his stay in the vineyard, and this increased concerns about his safety.

The coroner found that Mr Royupa, who became increasingly frightened, fled his employer’s moving vehicle in March 2019 after the man threatened to take him to the police station or the airport.

As the migrant lay unconscious in a pool of blood on the road, his sponsor belittled him and delayed calling an ambulance before complying with his request to leave the scene.

“His behavior was deplorable,” Ms Hosking said.

He referred the circumstances surrounding Mr Royupa’s death to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation, raising the prospect of possible criminal charges.

“He was a very special young man lost prematurely, not only to his family and friends but also to the wider community,” the coroner said.

He recommended that federal and NSW anti-slavery commissioners liaise with the Commonwealth, the attorney general and the Fair Work Commission to consider how to support reporting of modern slavery crimes.

This should include the establishment of a national anti-slavery helpline and mandatory training for police officers working in conditions where modern slavery may occur, such as isolated areas.

The inquest into Mr Royupa’s death was the first to examine forced labor concerns in the country since the crimes of modern slavery were canonized in 2013.

Mr Royupa’s family said his death raised concerns about the welfare of migrant workers in Australia and the adequacy of support.

“We know Jerwin was deceived by a fake training program,” said his sister, Jessa Joy Royupa.

“We know he’s afraid of his employer. We know he has multiple risk factors for forced labor.”

He welcomed the matter being brought to AFP but called on the federal government to do better for migrant workers.

“You have to do a lot more to keep the people who come to work here safe,” Ms. Royupa said.

“No family should have to go through the kind of heartbreak we went through.”

Modern slavery recovery service Domus 8.7 said the investigation was a significant milestone in migrant safety issues.

“This investigation has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers who are tied to a single employer and isolated from support,” said Moe Turaga, a slavery survivor and service survivor.

“The Royupa family has waited many years for this moment, and we appreciate their courage and persistence in seeking answers about Jerwin’s death.”

While Ms Royupa expressed relief at finally getting answers after almost seven years, she said they provided no comfort.

“Today is still a sad and painful day,” he said.

“Jerwin was a young man who had everything to live for. We all loved him.”

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