Coles auditing suppliers for employee relations compliance
Coles Supermarkets revealed to a Federal Senate enquiry this week that it is auditing all its suppliers for employee relations compliance. This followed ABC TV’s broadcast of a Four Corners episode uncovering alleged exploitation of temporary work visa holders by a poultry processor.
In the Senate enquiry session held in Adelaide, Coles was quizzed on what actions it was taking to ensure suppliers were not taking advantage of foreign workers.
The Four Corners program gave examples of labour hire firms underpaying foreign workers and being made to work extended hours and forced to live in undesirable settings.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is also investigating the poultry processor in wake of the program.
Coles revealed that it had appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to audit its suppliers for any wrongdoings.
Coles said that if any worker mistreatment is found and the supplier does not take “corrective action”, the supplier relationship may cease.
