Breaks forbidden, food instead of pay: one-third of young Australian workers exploited by employers, study shows

‘Young people don’t have much industrial knowledge or experience, so are easy to take advantage of,’ says Prof John Howe from the University of Melbourne. Photograph: Luis Alvarez/Getty Images

More than one-third of young workers are exploited by their employers, according to a new study, with many paid less than the minimum wage, forbidden to take entitled breaks, compelled to pay for work-related items or given food and products instead of money.

Young people are seen as especially vulnerable to wage theft due to inexperience in the workplace and a lack of awareness of their rights. They are also more likely to be employed in insecure roles than experienced workers, raising fears of retaliation.