Poultry processor Hazeldene's and meat company Teys and are the latest in the food industry to have the spotlight shone to their labour practices.
Hazeldene's, which is already under investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman, this week gave evidence at a Senate inquiry into temporary work VISAs in the labour market in Melbourne over concerns that some contracted staff are being overworked and underpaid.
Hazeldene's says the claims are unfounded and that it has a good working culture.
The inquiry's chairwoman, Sue Lines, said Hazeldene's offered to appear at the inquiry and had also made a written submission, according to ABC Online. The committee's report is due within a couple of months.
Also, ABC's 730 program aired allegations of underpayment at Teys abattoir in Wagga Wagga NSW. According to the report, some meat workers on holiday visas had signed a form that waived their rights to penalty rates for overtime.
Teys, which uses labour recruitment company AWX, also said it rejected the claims.
Last week, poultry company Baiada was found by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) to have exploited and underpaid its foreign workers.
