Fearing Slave Labour

I've been stationed at Backpackers By the Bay for a week now and I'm finally making a move to Bowen where I've found accommodations tomorrow.

In my time here I've encountered numerous people coming from Bowen, leaving the environment I'm making my way towards. None of them have lasted over a week doing fruit picking work. It turns out there is one farming employer (Alan) who provides tomato picking work for 2 of the 3 working hostels in Bowen.

I had been under the impression that work would commence early, around 6am, and finish around 2pm or 3pm (a regular 8 hour work day). My hostel peers reveal that the work starts at 6am and can often go until 6pm, sometimes with no breaks given at all throughout the day. I've also been told that instead of working 6 days on 1 day off, people have been forced to work 12 days straight before receiving a day off. Veritable slave work, it seems.

It turns out even the money is a battle. I had been told the hard work would pay off and that a week was worth approximately 1000$. It turns out the employers meddle with your pay any chance they get, whether finding excuses not to pay or simply cutting back on what is owed. The work is done in teams and tasks vary from day to day. If your team is tasked with pruning, none of you make any money at all (for 12 hours of work) since pay is based on the amount of baskets procured within a day.

I was absolutely prepared to apply myself to difficult, physical labour. I was even prepared to withstand demeaning and demoralizing treatment. So many people in this world are forced to work in these conditions everyday of their lives. So many people don't have the fortunes we live with on a daily basis. I feel like this is a very short chapter of my life and that I'm absolutely equipped, physically and mentally, to take on this working experience. I have worked many jobs in my life, but none have ever challenged me to turn my brain off and apply myself physically. I tend to think that I have an overly active mind and I like the idea of learning to tune out my thoughts if and when necessary.

I have to admit now though, despite my positive intentions, that I'm weary of signing up for an experience in which I'm being taken advantage of to the point of physical and mental exhaustion. I find it hard to believe that I will be able to sustain myself in such an environment for 3 months.

I've just discovered that shed work is probably my best bet in avoiding the slave labour that is fruit picking. Shed work consists of sorting and packing fruits and vegetables - it is usually work that is paid on an hourly basis and is done away from the sun.

I've found a hostel that deals only with shed work and this morning found accommodations with them as of tomorrow morning in a shared dorm room. Upon arrival, I'll settle in and stick around until a position opens up. More waiting, but at least I feel more comfortable about the work experience.

Here's hoping that I will come upon an experience that I can feel challenged by and learn from. I want to apply myself and feel proud of my accomplishments.