The Australian federal government has revoked the business license of a Tasmanian-based seasonal worker employer over allegations of "modern slavery" treatment.

According to a Pacnews report on Monday, Australian authorities revoked the license of Linx Employment (employer) over its treatment of 200-plus contracted fruit pickers from Pacific Island nations including Samoa.

Following the cancellation of its business license, the Australian federal government is now offering new job opportunities to the Pacific Island fruit pickers and farmer workers in multiple Australian states including Tasmania.

Australia's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is currently meeting with over 200 Linx workers across the country, Pacnews reports, to assist them in finding ongoing employment and accommodation.

The Pacific Island workers have alleged mistreatment, including visa seizure, refusal to provide pay slips, bullying and threats from the management of the company in question. 

The Australian Workers Union (AWU) National Secretary Paul Farrow, according to the Pacnews report, says Linx’s business model amounts to modern slavery.

“If you go to the Australian Federal Police website and look at the checklist for modern slavery you will find these workers tick a lot of the boxes,” says AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow. “Let me be clear if you treat workers like slaves, the AWU is coming after you.”

The Australian union has claimed that many of the Pacific Island workers have been stranded without employment and income for months.

“Our members at Linx are hardworking and willing to work, but many have been weeks or months without work and unlike other workers they cannot simply go to another employer.”

“When local farmers have approached Linx with work for our members, Linx have blocked them.” 

Diplomats from Samoa, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have also been informed of developments at Linx, reports Pacnews.

Attempts by the Samoa Observer on Monday to get a comment from the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Leatinuu Wayne Fong whose Ministry manages the Samoa Government's seasonal work schemes were unsuccessful. The Minster's secretary said he was not expected to go to the office on Monday. 

Australia's ABC News on Monday reported that Linx Employment had agreed to end its participation in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme due to allegations of worker mistreatment and is now under investigation by Fair Work Ombudsman and DEWR.

A DEWR spokesman, in a statement to ABC News, said over 200 workers in Tasmania and Queensland were affected by the decision of Linx Employment to pull the plug on its participation in PALM. 

"Linx Employment Tas Pty Ltd has today agreed with DEWR to end their participation in the PALM scheme," the spokesman said.

"Linx is working with DEWR and other stakeholders to secure the best outcomes for workers, and host employers.