With the balance of power between employer and employee widening during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts in South Australia are worried that worker exploitation is increasing.

As reported by ABC Australia, in South Australia’s Riverland region, workers have allegedly only been earning between $8 to $10 an hour picking fruit in recent months.

In a report published in late 2019, modern slavery was already found to be prevalent in Riverland, with one in three workers not legitimately employed on some properties.

The report also details how international workers have been subject to performing sexual favors to receive more hours, having their passports confiscated and not feeling free to leave their jobs.