Modern slavery in Australia’s diplomatic heart: envoys’ abuse of domestic workers exposed

Recent court rulings reveal harrowing stories of abuse and neglect at the hands of envoys operating under diplomatic immunity in Canberra

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Canberra. Shocking cases of modern slavery have emerged within Australia’s capital. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 8:00am, 9 Sep 2024

Canberra, Australia’s capital, is home to powerful diplomats and government officials, but shocking instances of modern slavery have emerged within its borders.

Sri Lankan domestic worker Priyanka Danaratna was held against her will for three years without a passport in the five-bedroom house of her employer Himalee Arunatilaka, the then-deputy high commissioner of Sri Lanka, just a stone’s throw away from Australia’s parliament. From 2015 to 2018, Arunatilaka paid Danaratna less than 65 Australian cents (44 US cents) an hour, in violation of labour laws, according to an August federal court ruling.

Despite international condemnation, the Sri Lankan government claimed Arunatilaka had not broken any laws. The diplomat did not respond to court proceedings.

The Sri Lankan government implying “that there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong about this arrangement … is kind of mind-blowing from an Australian perspective,” said David Hillard, Danaratna’s lawyer.

The case follows a similar incident in March involving a former Indian high commissioner who paid his domestic worker less than A$10 (US$6.70) a day for over a year. Both cases highlight abuses of diplomatic immunity from criminal prosecution and the urgent need for stronger enforcement against modern slavery in Australia.

Himalee Arunatilaka was ordered to pay more than US$360,000 in unpaid wages to her former housekeeper. Photo: Handout

Danaratna, a former cleaner with no English skills, was specifically sought out by Arunatilaka to work in Australia. For three years of work, from 6am to 10pm every day, she was paid A$11,212. Her wages were deposited irregularly into a Sri Lankan account and she had only two days off.