Michael is joined by Matt Kunkel, Director of the Migrant Workers Centre in Melbourne, who warns that jobless migrants in dire financial hardship need welfare support to avoid becoming homeless and contributing to a public health crisis.

 

He says people were "literally begging for food on Facebook" and those at risk of becoming homeless would find it difficult to self-isolate to contain the spread of infection.

 

“We cannot afford to leave anyone behind.  Excluding 1.1 million temporary visa holders from any income support will push them onto the streets at a time when food and housing security is essential for fighting this pandemic.”

 

“If we don’t expand the wage subsidy to include temporary migrant workers they will be forced on to the streets at the height of a pandemic – we can’t allow this to happen and this is why over 100 organisations have come together to call for a wage subsidy that covers all workers.”