In the Australian Taxation Office’s workplace in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong, a team dedicated to debt collection sits in the eastern part of the floor.
They use the same kitchen and bathrooms as nearby workers, but they are paid much less than those in the public service also collecting debts, and face inferior conditions.
Former workers at the ATO’s private debt collector, Recoveriescorp, say they are kept in the shadows, leading to poor working conditions for outsource workers and inconsistent decisions for taxpayers seeking help with their debts.
“We were just like battery hens sitting at our desk making calls to collect debts,” says one former worker, who requested anonymity due to employment confidentiality provisions.