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Results for forced labor (australia)

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Author: Burn, Jennifer

Title: Hidden Exploitation: Women in Forced Labour, Marriage and Migration: An Evidence Review

Summary: This report exposes gaps in knowledge and services relating to the labour of women in Australia. Along with an assessment of the needs, it provides suggestions for a way forward in terms of possible partnerships for developing knowledge, services and advocacy. The gaps considered include labour force, forced labour, forced migration and forced marriage. Labour Force and Forced Labour While women have over the long term been overrepresented in part-time or casual employment, the increased use of precarious forms of employment is leaving many women, especially those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds at risk. There is a need for more legal protection as well as culturally and linguistically appropriate resources for community education on rights and services. While it appears that exploitation of children through work is not happening on a significant scale in Australia, it is important that a means of keeping a national watch on this is found. There is a clear history of exploitation of Indigenous women by way of overwork or government control of work or earnings. The situation of disadvantage in work remains in place for many today. Indigenous women are overrepresented among the unemployed and discouraged workers. Through the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) many are in effect underpaid for highly skilled work and long hours. The status of CDEP participants needs to be established so that more equitable outcomes can be put in place. In Australia employment legislation and instituted monitoring and intervention via the Fair Work Act, Fair Work Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman provide protection for workers. However, those in employment other than full time, permanent work are still relatively unprotected. Improvements are needed in relation to the relevant aspects of immigration law and anti-discrimination law and the anti-trafficking legislation needs a review. In addition, services (including language resources and education) are needed to improve access to protection and legal assistance for vulnerable workers, especially Indigenous women and women from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds or CALD backgrounds. The report outlines the definitions in international and Australian laws of “people trafficking”, “slavery” and “forced labour” and makes the case for criminalising forced labour. Forced migration Migrant women as a group tend to be vulnerable to varying degrees when it comes to work, because of factors including financial stress, language, lack of education or qualifications, social isolation or child care responsibilities. Among the most vulnerable are those people on temporary work or student visas who suffer from a lack of affordable housing and poor access to information about work rights. Being without a valid visa adds another dimension. Forced marriage For foreign partners of Australian citizens, family violence may mask forced or servile marriage, so education of community workers is needed for the full protection of the women concerned. All of these situations are complex legally and culturally, so community consultation is critical and the safety of each woman needs to have priority. The many opportunities for further work include research, community consultation, awareness raising, service provision and advocacy.

Details: Abbotsford, VIC: Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, 2012. 58p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2012 at: http://www.goodshepherd.com.au/sites/default/files/files/0556%20GOOD%20SHEPHERD%20HIDDEN%20EXPLOITATION%20EXECUTIVE%20SUMMARY%20FINAL%20ONLINE%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.pdf (executive summary)

Year: 2012

Country: Australia

URL: http://www.goodshepherd.com.au/sites/default/files/files/0556%20GOOD%20SHEPHERD%20HIDDEN%20EXPLOITATION%20EXECUTIVE%20SUMMARY%20FINAL%20ONLINE%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.pdf (executive summary)

Shelf Number: 125224

Keywords:
Child Labor
Forced Labor (Australia)
Forced Marriage
Forced Migration
Human Trafficking
Sexual Exploitation
Violence Against Women