Migrant worker protections under scrutiny following fatal exploitation case

The death of a Filipino migrant worker who leapt from a moving vehicle to escape his employer has exposed serious failures in Australia’s migrant worker protections. Jerwin Royupa was legally in the country on a training visa, placed at a local winery. Instead of receiving structured training, evidence presented at an inquest indicates he experienced exploitation and conditions consistent with forced labor, prompting renewed calls for urgent reform.  

A sham training program and warning signs

In 2019, 21-year-old Jerwin Royupa arrived in Australia as a recent college graduate. He had been offered what was described as a training opportunity that included a “generous allowance” and the promise of developing new skills. Five weeks later, he jumped from his employer’s moving car in an apparent attempt to escape. He died days later from his injuries.

His sister Jessa Joy Royupa told the Wellington Times: 

We know that Jerwin was deceived by a sham training program. We know that he was fearful of his employer. We know that he had multiple risk factors of forced labor.

The coroner’s investigation after his death found that in the days prior, Jerwin had become “increasingly fearful” of his visa sponsor. Contrary to the terms of his visa, he had been performing manual labor exclusively, rather than receiving training. The inquest heard that he was required to work “excessive” hours. At times as much as 60 a week. Tellingly, he did not have access to his passport, a common red flag of modern slavery.

These findings have raised serious concerns about oversight of the training visa program and the safeguards intended to protect migrant workers from exploitation.

“Our system failed to provide it”

The inquest sparked by Jerwin’s death represents an important first in Australia. It is the first instance of forced labor concerns being formally examined since modern slavery offences were criminalized in 2013. Six recommendations were issued. Among them was a call for the Minister for Home Affairs to conduct an internal review to identify “lessons learned” from the case. Another is the need for a formal review to investigate flaws in the training visa program itself. In particular, how those flaws could be leaving the door open to labor exploitation. 

Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans put it bluntly: 

Jerwin deserved protection and support. Our systems failed to provide it,  

The Department of Home Affairs provided full assistance to the inquest and said they are carefully reviewing the findings and recommendations stating: 

The department expresses our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Royupa… (and is) working on strengthened regulations for the training visa to protect visa-holders and will incorporate the coroner’s findings in this work. 

Jerwin’s sister feels Australia still has “to do much more to keep people who come to work here safe.” And advocates say that should include much needed changes to modern slavery responses broadly. Like the establishment of a national anti-slavery hotline. Further, mandatory training for police officers who work in conditions where modern slavery is more easily hidden. Particularly in rural, isolated areas like the vineyard where Jerwin worked.   

Urgent gaps in protection

Jerwin Royupa’s death underscores the risks migrant workers can face when visa status is tied to a single employer and oversight mechanisms fail. The case has highlighted the need for stronger monitoring of employer-sponsored visas, clearer reporting pathways for workers experiencing abuse, and accessible support services for those at risk.

Sister Jessa Joy said: 

No family should have to experience the kind of heartbreak we have been through. 

Advocates argue that preventing similar tragedies will require systemic reform, including improved accountability, better training for frontline authorities, and stronger protections for migrant workers.

Jerwin’s case has become a stark reminder that legal migration pathways must not leave workers vulnerable to exploitation. This is a central call within our safe migration campaign. Join the call today.