At least 300 cases have been linked to abattoirs and other meat processing facilities, and as a result, the Victorian government has ordered a 33 per cent reduction of meatworks staff.
The reduced hours will impact more than 150 Pacific men and women who were hired as part of the Australian government's Pacific Labour Scheme.
Junior Issachar from Vanuatu works at Frew's Abattoir in rural Victoria.
He and 11 other ni-Van workers have kept their jobs but he told Pacific Beat they're worried about what the situation means for their future in Australia.
