Jerwin Royupa (centre) was a science graduate who wanted experience in agriculture. Photo: GoFundMe/Lianne Nicole Nota.
The NSW Deputy Coroner has delivered scathing findings against both a Riverina employer and the federal Department of Home Affairs over the death of a 21-year-old Filipino worker who feared his boss and died after jumping or falling from a moving van.
Jerwin Royupa had been in Australia for just five weeks when he suffered fatal injuries after exiting a vehicle driven by his employer on 14 March 2019. Described as gentle, happy and full of dreams, the young man had come to Australia hoping to support his family and gain experience in agriculture.
He died the following day at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Fearful and exploited
Handing down her findings on Friday (16 January) after a coronial inquest in late 2024, Magistrate Rebecca Hosking found Mr Royupa had become increasingly fearful of his employer in the days leading up to his death and was “exploited” throughout his brief time in Australia.
She recommended that the incident be referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for further investigation.
Mr Royupa arrived in February 2019 on a subclass 407 training visa to work at a Riverina winery. He hoped the placement would provide structured training and a pathway to build a future, but the magistrate found those promises were never delivered.
“Between 10 and 14 March 2019, Jerwin had become increasingly fearful of [the employer],” Magistrate Hosking said.
“This fear was further compounded by Jerwin feeling threatened when [the employer] indicated that he would take him to the airport or the police.”
Due to a non-publication order, the employer was not named and was referred to as “Operator1”.
Magistrate Hosking found Mr Royupa voluntarily jumped or fell from the van while it was moving, after the driver slowed the vehicle when it became apparent Mr Royupa had taken his seatbelt and shirt off.
She described the employer’s conduct after the incident as “deplorable”, finding he failed to call an ambulance immediately and made disparaging remarks about Mr Royupa while he lay unconscious.
The magistrate found Mr Royupa was exploited, working up to 60 hours a week “in a manner wholly inconsistent” with the training schedule approved as part of his visa.
She said he was made to work outdoors in excessive heat without proper clothing or sunscreen, performed only manual labour rather than any education or training, and was never paid for his work.
Failure of authorities
Magistrate Hosking was also sharply critical of the Department of Home Affairs, finding it failed to actively supervise the visa program or ensure employers complied with its conditions.
She said the department did not take adequate steps to prevent overseas trainees from being taken advantage of, exposing vulnerable workers to an “unacceptable risk of exploitation”, particularly in the agricultural sector. The department’s phone number was not readily available, and its website was not user-friendly.
“Supports available to Jerwin as a vulnerable young man in a foreign country were inaccessible, inadequate and inefficient,” she said.
Magistrate Hosking also found the NSW Police investigation of the death was “inadequate”, saying officers should have approached it as suspicious rather than one that didn’t involve foul play.
Family broken-hearted
Mr Royupa’s sister described him as “a sweet and kind guy who was hardworking and caring”.
She said her family remained broken-hearted by his death, and the night they were informed of his passing was the longest and saddest of their lives.
Jerwin Royupa is still mourned by his family. Photo: Migrante International/Facebook.
Magistrate Hosking noted Mr Royupa had four siblings, a bachelor’s degree in science and was known as someone who wanted to work in both agriculture and for his church.
Last-minute bid rejected
Minutes before the findings were due to be delivered, Operator1 applied to prevent them from being published online, citing fears of reputational damage and concern about media reporting on what’s been described as “modern slavery”.
Magistrate Hosking rejected the application.
“Nobody in the public is going to know it was about you,” she said, noting he was not named in the findings.
She recommended that the circumstances of Mr Royupa’s death be reviewed by the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, including examining the role of his department in supporting visa holders and vetting potential sponsors.
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