Submission Regarding the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2019 Inquiry
FECCA’s submission on the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Request Casual Conversion) Bill 2019 supports the bill as a step toward improving the rights of casual workers, particularly those from Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds who face unique barriers in employment. This includes limited recognition of overseas qualifications, lack of local work experience, language challenges, and discrimination. FECCA emphasises that CALD workers are overrepresented in insecure and low-paid casual employment, where they experience heightened vulnerabilities and power imbalances with employers, exacerbated by visa dependencies and fear of job loss. The submission highlights the need for the bill to address these inequities effectively.
To ensure CALD workers can benefit from casual conversion rights, FECCA recommends targeted measures, including providing accessible information in multiple languages, funding ethno-specific organisations, and offering culturally appropriate training and resources. It also calls for greater support from the Fair Work Ombudsman to assist CALD workers in navigating employment laws and rights. By addressing these systemic barriers, the submission argues, the bill can better promote workplace equity and empower vulnerable workers to seek secure and fair employment conditions.
