VEOHRC welcomes action to address student exploitation

19/09/2008

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission has welcomed moves by the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, Jacinta Allan to establish a taskforce to address issues affecting overseas students.

Commission Chief Executive Officer, Dr Helen Szoke said she was keen to work with government to address apparent race discrimination against overseas students in employment, accommodation and education.

Students have reported to the Commission a number of instances ofexploitation such as:

working for no payment for a month before being given paid employment.
being paid less than their Australian born co-workers.
pay varying from week to week.
working as a sole security guard on a construction site for 72 hourswithout a break.

Dr Szoke said overseas students were reluctant to make complaints of discrimination for fear it may jeopardise their visa status and ability tostay in the country.

“Understandably, overseas students lack an awareness of their workplace and equal opportunity rights and the complaints mechanisms open to them,”she said.

“Racial intolerance and the exploitation of disadvantaged people have noplace in Victoria".

“As a state that has embraced human rights through a long history of progressive legislation we need to ensure those rights are understood and enjoyed by everyone,” she said.

“Victoria has an enviable record as a multicultural community and we must ensure we are a welcoming study destination free of racial discrimination for overseas students”.

Dr Szoke is available for interview. Please contact Slavka Scott 0419337 732