Coroner’s Findings in the Death of Filipino Worker Jerwin Royupa
A New South Wales coroner has referred the case of Jerwin Royupa, a Filipino migrant worker who died in 2019, to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation into potential exploitation and criminal conduct. The 21-year-old trainee at a winery died after reportedly jumping from a moving vehicle, with coroner Rebecca Hosking concluding her findings on Friday.
Details Surrounding Royupa’s Death
Royupa was involved in a training program in Australia, having arrived just five weeks prior with a temporary subclass 407 visa, intended for workplace-based training. However, findings from the coroner’s inquest reveal that Royupa was largely engaged in manual labor rather than any educational training. Notably, he was required to work excessive hours—up to 60 a week—often under harsh conditions and without proper clothing or sun protection.
The coroner highlighted that Royupa’s living and working conditions were inappropriate, stating he did not have access to his passport while at the winery. In the days leading up to his death, he had become increasingly fearful of his training sponsor, whose identity remains undisclosed due to legal constraints.
On March 14, 2019, Royupa jumped or fell from a van driven by his sponsor after being threatened with deportation. After the incident, Hosking described the sponsor’s actions as “deplorable,” noting that he failed to call for immediate medical assistance while disparaging Royupa’s condition to a paramedic.
Due to injuries sustained, Royupa succumbed to complications from “multiple blunt force injuries” the following day in a Melbourne hospital.
Issues of Labor Exploitation
The inquest raised serious questions regarding the appropriateness of the 407 training visa under which Royupa was admitted. According to the coroner, the Department of Home Affairs had previously deemed it “inappropriate” to approve similar visa applications due to concerns about genuine training opportunities.
Indeed, the circumstances surrounding Royupa’s employment reflect broader issues of labor exploitation faced by migrant workers in Australia. Hosking pointed out that Royupa was promised an allowance that never materialized, despite working long hours. His projected monthly salary of $134.92 was clearly insufficient, given the demanding work schedule.
Additionally, it was found that the approval for Royupa’s visa may have overlooked critical factors concerning his treatment and rights as a migrant worker.
Recommendations from the Coroner
In light of these findings, Hosking made several recommendations aimed at addressing systemic issues within the visa application process and training programs. Among these was the suggestion to refer the coronial brief to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation. She also urged the Home Affairs Minister to conduct an internal review to glean lessons from Royupa’s case and consider the need for a comprehensive review of the department’s practices.
Furthermore, it was advised that the NSW Police Commissioner collaborate with the state’s anti-slavery commissioner to implement mandatory training on modern slavery for officers stationed in high-risk areas.
Official Responses to the Inquest Findings
A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs expressed condolences to Royupa’s family and stressed that the department is committed to strengthening regulations associated with training visas. They indicated that changes would be made to ensure better protection for visa holders and that applications for subclass 407 visas are subjected to close scrutiny, with refusal rates currently hovering around 45 percent for the 2025-26 period.
Royupa’s tragic death has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by many migrant workers in Australia. The inquest, the first in Australia to examine concerns of forced labor since modern slavery offenses were criminalized, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for policy reforms to protect the rights and safety of vulnerable workers.
As investigations proceed, stakeholders hope that these findings will lead to meaningful changes in labor practices that prioritize the welfare of migrant workers. To further explore issues of labor exploitation in agricultural sectors, check this report from Reuters.
