When Suga moved to Australia from Malaysia in 2019, she was full of hope. She completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and began her career in childcare, driven by a passion for working with children. At first, everything went well — the training was valuable, the families were welcoming, and Suga felt she was building a meaningful future in a country where childcare is highly respected.
But things changed when Suga was promised sponsorship by her employer — a promise that was later revealed to be false. After working for over a year with them, she learned from another branch that the company do not offer sponsorship. As her uncertainty grew, so did the pressure at work. Suga faced bullying, false allegations, and intimidation tactics — including threats to call the police on her. She was later terminated without a proper understanding of her workplace rights.
Alone and under enormous stress, Suga was desperate for help. As the main provider for her retired parents and siblings back home, she couldn't afford to give up. Thankfully, she found the Migrant Workers Centre through a friend's recommendation and reached out.
"The moment I spoke to someone at MWC, I felt heard and respected" Suga said. Through our legal service, she was supported every step of the way by our Principal Lawyer and guided through the process of taking action against her former employer.
Crucially, Suga was eligible for the Workplace Justice Visa — a pilot visa program that allows migrant workers like her to remain in Australia while pursuing justice through legal action.
"All this was so new. I felt so lucky and grateful," she shared. "The visa gave me a chance to tell my story and seek justice."
With MWC’s support, Suga filed her case and was successful at the Fair Work Commission. For her, the result wasn’t just about winning — it was about finally having her voice heard.
"Now I’m able to tell all my friends about toxic workplaces and the rights we have as migrants. I’m hoping this might help someone down the track."
Today, Suga remains committed to building her career in childcare in Australia. Her journey is a powerful reminder that access to justice changes lives — and that migrant workers must be supported to stand up for their rights.
At the Migrant Workers Centre, we believe every worker deserves to feel safe, respected, and empowered. The Workplace Justice Visa is a vital step towards making that vision a reality for more workers like Suga.
Throughout her journey, Suga says she was deeply grateful for the support of her family, friends, legal advocates, and her wider community, who stood by her during the most challenging times.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family for their emotional support, a heartfelt thank you to Natalie Fryar, Ava Chandler Matthews and Abiramie for standing by me and helping me through this journey. Their encouragement gave me strength when I needed it most.
