UPDATED:2:30pm for 3pm- 5pm Saturday 14 April (including refreshments provided afterward)

3pm Service of Lament & Assembly in the sanctuary followed by light refreshments in the back hall.

This Service of Lament and short assembly is supported by a wide range of faith communities, unions, Pacific and community organisations.

Over the past six months' media reports have revealed an alarming number of deaths among Pacific Island workers as part of the Federal Government's Seasonal Worker Program (SWP). These reports have detailed conditions of extreme exploitation with workers living in social isolation, being chronically underpaid and overcharged for substandard accommodation.

Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go to the families of workers who have died or been injured.

First and foremost, the purpose of our Service of Lament is to honour them. These were brothers and sisters who came to Australia to make a better life for themselves and their families. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered.

We know from their stories and the stories we hear in our own communities that temporary migrant workers in Australia are doing it tough. It often falls to church communities to lend assistance and pick up the pieces where we can.

Our Service of Lament is deliberately scheduled the week before the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, where modern slavery will be discussed.

This event is currently not available