PROBLEMS with foreigners working illegally on Gippsland farms could soon become out of control, according to a local farmer.
His comments come after about 40 illegal workers were netted working on farms in Wellington Shire in the the past two months in raids by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Local grape grower Tony Dawkins said the number of people working illegally was "extensive'' in Gippsland and was "growing every day''.
"Every large vegetable growing company in Gippsland is at least using a percentage of illegal workers and the locals and the backpackers are being pushed out of the industry,'' Mr Dawkins said.
"Illegal workers are very accessible to farmers - all it takes is a phone call to the labour hire companies.
"Sadly, I think this method is very short-sighted by the farmers using it.
"It's illegal, it's ugly and it can turn violent.''
Mr Dawkins said he had contacted a number of local politicians with information about illegal workers, but was yet to see action.
"I want to encourage them to show some leadership,'' he said.
"They can't say they're not aware of the issue.''
According to Mr Dawkins, many locals weren't aware of how many foreigners were working illegally in the area.
"My estimate would be at least 500-700 in Gippsland,'' he said.
"These people are not paying taxes, they're not paying rates or super and usually their income is being sent home.
"They're spending a minimum amount of money here: there is no benefit for Gippslanders.
"This is a completely unregulated, dog-eat-dog world and I fear the violence and intimidation that you see in other places in Victoria is coming to Gippsland - fast.''
Worker Josh McGowan said he had worked alongside illegals on local farms.
He said the main differences were the people working illegally were paid in cash and endured appalling living conditions.
Mr McGowan also said farmers often paid the illegal workers a "fair rate'', but much of that was taken by the labour hire companies.
"Having a lot of illegal workers is frustrating for locals and backpackers, but they won't speak up for fear of their jobs,'' he said.
"It's not really a level playing field.
"I don't have a problem with these people coming to work here, as long as it's all done the right way.''
Gippsland East MLA Craig Ingram agreed people working illegally was a problem in the area, but said it was not necessarily up to politicians to do something about it.
"Anyone who has information that would lead to an arrest has the power to do something about this,'' he said.
"Unfortunately a lot of the focus has been on the illegal workers, when clearly there is a market for them.
"Labour hire organisations are doing the wrong thing.
"If people know what is going on, they need to report it to the appropriate authorities.''
Mr Ingram said he had said the same thing to concerned people who had contacted his office.
"The laws are in place around this but I think a lot of people are afraid to officially report it,'' he said.
"There are people deliberately avoiding their responsibilities here and it creates a a real inequality for farmers.
"I know some of them are struggling to get workers to come and pick their crops but that doesn't excuse doing the wrong thing.
"Because people have been allowed to get away with this for so long is why it has continued and it needs to stop.''
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