THE over-representation of migrants in low-skilled, low-paid employment is one of seven key issues outlined in a report into racial and religious discrimination in employment.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), in conjunction with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) has completed a 12-month investigation into discrimination issues, resulting in the Harnessing Diversity report launched on Friday.
The report highlighted that racist attitudes, racial discrimination and harassment were still prevalent in Victorian workplaces.
Community consultation throughout the investigation produced disturbing anecdotal evidence of discrimination in recruitment and great difficulties in accessing job search agencies.
One recently arrived refugee, now living in the western suburbs, told the commission: “We are discriminated against in all areas of life, by our neighbours, at shopping centres … people say ‘go back home’.”
Another western suburbs resident of Polish background, who practised as a medical doctor in Poland, was employed in Australia as a kitchen hand.
She reported that the day she admitted to her boss that she was a doctor, she was fired. She believes her colleagues and employer felt threatened by her qualifications.
But evidence from the investigation also showed that discrimination was occurring at a much more basic level – people with Arabic sounding names reported that they failed to win an interview until they changed their names to Anglo-Saxon-sounding names.
A connection between race and gender discrimination was also identified with women from culturally diverse backgrounds particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment because of the high need to work to support family and lack of job security
Recommendations resulting from the report include:
• Government, as the state and country’s largest employer, taking a great leadership role by reducing discriminatory practices in its own recruitment and promotion processes;
• Implementation of a statewide information and education campaign to encourage business to employ people from various ethnic backgrounds;
• Improving access to information for new arrivals about equal opportunity and their rights; and
• Improved support for migrants seeking employment, including improvements to labour market assistance programs and training for Job Network providers.
The VEOHRC and VMC will now work with the Victorian Government to develop practices in line with their report’s recommendations.
