New report shows entrenched racism hampers job opportunities

18/07/2008

Migrants continue to face racist attitudes, racial discrimination and harassment in workplaces, according to a new research report released today by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC).

Harnessing Diversity: addressing racial and religious discrimination in employment looks at the racism many people face in getting a job, and outlines a number of strategies to break through the racial barrier.

“The land of the fair go for all is an illusion for many migrants,” said VEOHRC chief executive Dr Helen Szoke. “It can only become a reality with practical initiatives that break through the racism that still exists in Victorian workplaces.”

The report highlights some of the barriers that people from culturally diverse backgrounds face, including:

Discrimination in recruitment Discrimination and disadvantage in accessing job search agencies Over-representation of migrants in low-skilled, low-paid employment Under-representation of migrants in the public sector Lack of recognition of overseas qualifications

“The racial discrimination that people face today is different to the name-calling and blatant racism of the past,” said Dr Szoke. “It is so systemic and entrenched that it can be difficult to identify and address.”

“Take for example the research that tells us that when they changed the names on their resume from Arabic sounding to more Anglo-Saxon sounding names, they suddenly had much more success gaining interviews.”

VMC Chairperson Mr George Lekakis said Victoria can’t afford to ignore employment-related racial and religious discrimination.

“Racial discrimination has individual, social and economic costs,” Mr Lekakis said. “Loss of productivity, unnecessary skill shortages and social isolation, to name just a few.”

Harnessing Diversity makes a number of recommendations to address the state-wide issue, including reducing discriminatory practices in government employment processes, running an information and education campaign to encourage business to employ people from diverse backgrounds and improving labour market support and access to information for new arrivals about their rights.

Media contact: Jessica Ardley (03) 92817133 or 0428 881 254