Students need financial help to get through their studies. Indigenous Australians and low socio-economic status (SES) students particularly need help; but all students need greater assistance. Many students have to work excessive hours and this is impacting negatively on their study. A significant amount of tertiary students are even going without food because of lack of income.

All Commonwealth Government allowances for students should be above the poverty line. This is not the case at present. For example, students under 25 receiving Youth Allowance, and living in a share house, can be living about 38% below the Henderson poverty line.

The eligibility criteria for Youth Allowance for rural students are too tight and can create a barrier for remote young people contemplating study.

For the recent apology to Indigenous Australians to translate into positive action we need to look at the positive role that tertiary education can play in assisting Indigenous people to find decent work, and other opportunities.

Better income support would assist students to become more involved in the learning community as well as taking the financial pressure off so more time can be committed to study.

As a start, the Commonwealth should provide adequate income support so that all can participate in the learning and broader community life of the tertiary institution. There should be better income support of tertiary students in the following areas:

• the age of independence for Youth Allowance recipients should be reduced from 25 to 18 so that students are not assessed on the basis of their parents’ income and assets;
• the Youth Allowance threshold of earned income before penalty should be raised, to match CPI, from $6000 to at least $8000; and,
• scholarships providing financial support should not be included as accessible income when evaluating eligibility for income support.

Also, extra measures should be considered to assist Indigenous students and those attending tertiary education from remote and regional areas.

Email the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and thank him for his Government’s commitment to take action on illegal logging. Ask him to ban the importation of illegally logged timber into Australia.

Add your own points using the info from the action or use the sample email below.

His email address is: Tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au

…Because my husband’s income is very low it is not enough for our family to survive, so I must keep this job… I am very fast at sewing, but my rate of pay is still very low as the piece rate is low. I usually can get about $6 an hour. When I first started working at home I was actually getting $8-9 an hour because I was fast. The boss was surprised that I was so fast, so he reduced the rate he paid me for future orders of the same style.
(Australian Homeworker ‘Winnie’s Story’ – recorded by FairWear)

Commonly suggested improvements (Homeworkers Worldwide - 2004) made by homeworkers include:

• increasing piece rates and prices paid for work;
• wanting assistance in finding regular work, continuity of work and income.
• accessing and conducting of regular training on a range of issues;
• needing a concerned body, organisation they can go to for assistance and support;
• availability of other forms of employment;
• accessing markets for their products, and loans;
• skills development to allow them to diversify into other work areas;
• accessing work directly (eliminate intermediaries); and,
• establishing a homeworker organisation.

Through the United Nations system, governments have developed a number of ‘human rights instruments’. In addition, there is the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to which Australia belongs. It is tripartite in the sense that employers, workers (unions) and governments attend meetings and participate in decision-making. The ILO sets international labour standards in the form of conventions on particular matters.

JustAct is calling on the Commonwealth of Australia to accede (‘sign on’) to the ILO – C177 Home Work Convention. The Convention sets out minimum requirements for governments to undertake and provides a guide to the development of national laws that need to be enacted. The Convention defines homework, who homeworkers are and promotes equality of treatment; therefore reinforcing a fundamental status to homeworkers as workers entitled to equal remuneration, training and other conditions as to enterprise based workers.

The minimum a government is required to do upon acceding is to develop a national policy on homework and to undertake to keep statistics on the number of homeworkers in their respective country. As the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia noted in a Senate submission in 2006, there is controversy over the number of outworkers in Australia, with estimates ranging from an unrealistic 25,000 to a high 330,000. The lack of recent research in this area highlights the need for a coordinated data collection exercise.

The policy platform of the Australian Labor Party commits Australia to accede to the ILO Home Work Convention and the Deputy Prime-Minster, the Hon. Julia Gillard has written to the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia (Victoria & Tasmania) to inform that the Commonwealth Government will positively address this issue. JustAct wants to support this direction taken by the Commonwealth and will continue to highlight the benefits of the Convention to make sure that Australia takes the step to support the Convention.

Note: The Australian Commonwealth Government has just committed $4m to the No Sweatshop label.

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A 15 year old girl employed in a fast-food shop, was given a bucket containing caustic soda by the owner and asked to clean the ovens. The employer failed to inform her of the contents of the bucket and did not provide her with necessary training or adequate protective gear. She suffered burns to her body and required hospital treatment which the employer agreed to pay. However, the employer found the bill amounting to $99 was “excessive” and refused to give her any more shifts. The employer alleged the accident was her fault. JobWatch also found that she had been underpaid by 50% and that the employer had no insurance. 
(JobWatch Annual Report 2006-2007)

Providing for decent conditions for young workers should be a priority for Governments, employers and all others involved in the employment area. The Victorian Office of the Workplace Rights Advocate (OWRA) has recognised that many young people do not feel confident about negotiating their terms and conditions of employment.

A strong set of legislated universal standards for young people at work should address these issues:

• training should not be unpaid (including ‘trials’);
• work undertaken in unsociable hours (weekend and late night work) should receive higher pay;
• the need for advanced notice of work rosters (so young people can plan ahead);
• casualisation (and the right to secure and regular work);
• occupational health and safety (including sexual and other harassment and bullying);
• underpayment; and,
• provision of meal breaks.

JustAct is specifically calling on the Victorian Government to legislate for the protection of 15-17 workers and to provide greater education and monitoring resources to this important area of need.

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A number of different terms, homeworker, outworker or home based worker have been used to mean a person, usually a woman, who does paid work in her own home, or in the home of a neighbour or friend, or in fields, yards or even the street adjoining a home.

One group said they were paid $2.50 for a detailed shirt which took one hour to sew. Another group said they were paid between $2 and $3 an hour. When asked about hours worked, most indicated that they often went weeks without a job but when the work was available they worked long hours.
 – Ethical Threads, report by Brotherhood of St Laurence (2007) on Australian Homeworkers

This kind of work is distinct from unpaid household work, done by women usually for their own families, such as cleaning, preparing food, fetching water, childcare or caring for elderly family members.  It is also different from domestic work, meaning doing this kind of household work, for payment, usually in other people’s houses.

In principle, there are two distinct types of home based workers:

• dependent workers producing goods or sometimes carrying out a service for an intermediary, agent or employer, according to their specifications; and,
• contractor workers, sometimes known as self-employed, producing goods which they market themselves.

The reality is more blurred since many women take on whatever kind of work is available, whether dependent or on a contract basis.  In some cases, although inappropriately called an ‘independent contractor’, a worker may be economically dependent with no access to markets or working only for orders.  The range of employment relationships and dependency is more accurately visualised as a continuum with the dependent worker at one extreme and the contractor worker at the other.  In-between, there are many overlapping types of relationships.

We use the term homeworker (or outworker) to mean a dependent worker. Research and inquiries have revealed that the idea of an independent contractor in the clothing industry (at least in Australia) is essentially a myth.

The above information draws from Homeworkers Worldwide (2004).

For stories from Australian Homeworkers go here

For international information and links go here

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Let us begin
Help us begin the investigation. We are gathering information about where Christian novelty items, including Bible covers, crucifixes, bracelets and gadgets, are being made. Visit your local Christian specialty shop and respectfully record for us what the item is, how much it costs, and where it was made. We are particularly interested in items made in China. Please note that we are working with Central Catholic Bookstore and UniChurch Books in Melbourne so there is no need to review their merchandise.

Email your findings to JustAct to antony.mcmullen@victas.uca.org.au

For more information, or if you have any questions contact Antony on (03) 9251 5286 (or email him - see above).

Volunteers needed
Interested in more? We are looking volunteers to work with us to help undertake further research. Contact Antony on the above if you are interested and want to become more involved.

Act NOW! – At the moment, we are asking you to contact a Christian bookstore
Ask Word Bookstores to play a part in protecting the dignity of workers making their Christian devotional items

Christian retailers and suppliers are being called to work together to identify workplaces where goods are being manufactured so as to ensure that the fundamental human dignity of those who make the products are fully respected, and local workplace laws are complied with.

Word Bookstores Pty Ltd is a high-profile and successful Christian retailer involved in the selling of a range of products made in China, and other countries, where there are documented cases of gross disregard for the fundamental human dignity of working people.

Here are some examples of China made products sold at Word Bookstores:

• “Bee your Best” rubber balls set – Oriental Trading Company;
• “Confirmed in Christ” – large cross – Dayspring (company);
• “God is Love” – glow in the dark plastic cross – Fun Express (company);
• “He Lives Activity Set” – bag of pencils and pad – Oriental Trading Company;
• “Heroes of Faith” – Moses figure in rocks, “10 Commandments” – Journey ITB (company);
• “Jesus is Tops” – plastic toy top – Dicksons (company); and,
• “Veggie Tales” – Bible cover.

Just because an item is made in China does not mean it is made under gross exploitation; however, without independent verification everyone is in the dark.

The Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia has repeatedly tried to contact this company to start a dialogue about these issues; but there has been no response. In contrast, UniChurch Books and the Central Catholic Bookstore (both in Melbourne) have responded favourably.

JustHolyHardware wants to make certain that no goods made for the Victorian Christian community to celebrate and acknowledge the Christian faith have been made with violations of human dignity.

Write to Word Bookstores asking them to engage with the Justice & International Mission Unit so that the scale of the problems can be properly evaluated and some solutions can be found.

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Is the cross you hang around your neck worth more than 11 cents an hour?

A report released in late November 2007 by the US National Labor Committee (NLC), Today Workers Bear the Cross, exposed the Association for Christian Retail (ACR) for selling crosses manufactured in a Chinese sweatshop.

Many would be aware of issues relating to freedom of religion in China. Similar problems exist in the areas of respect for basic labour rights and freedom of association (the freedom of individuals to freely associate as an end in itself or with a view to pursuing common projects, e.g. through churches, political parties, sporting clubs – in this context particularly trade unions).

The NLC report found that crucifixes are being made at the Junxingye Factory in Dongguan, China, under the following conditions:

• all overtime in the factory is mandatory and anyone who does not carry out the required overtime loses a full day’s wages;
• anyone who gets sick and misses work in the factory loses two-and-a-half days pay for each day they miss;
• employees forced to work regular 14 to 15.5 hour shifts a day, seven days a week;
• the factory employed 300 — 400 women as young as 15;
• it is common for workers in the factory to work over 100 hours a week, which includes 51 hours of overtime;
• the workers get no paid sick leave, no paid maternity leave, no paid holidays and no health insurance, all of which are required under Chinese labour laws;
• when an order is due a shift can be extended up to 25 hours;
• workers fear they may be handling toxic chemicals, paints and solvents, the fumes sting their eyes and skin contact causes rashes, but the factory management refuses to provide even the names of the chemicals, let alone their potential health hazards;
• workers in the factory are housed in primitive dorm rooms sleeping on narrow double-level metal bunk beds that line the walls (there is no other furniture); and,
• workers in the factory are paid as little as 30 cents an hour, just over half the legal minimum wage in China (after fees deducted for room and board, the workers pay can drop to just 11 cents an hour).

The report states that the US National Labor Committee (NLC) has no code of conduct and no factory monitoring program. The kinds of practices outlined above in the NLC report are entirely inconsistent with Christian faith.

Brief analysis of Australian Christian retailers and wholesalers leads to the conclusion that there is a lack of attention to this issue.

We at the Justice & International Mission Unit have contacted the Christian Bookselling Association Australia. Already the Central Catholic Bookstore and UniChurch bookstores in Melbourne want to work with us to make a difference. We are working with the Justice Unit of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne on this project, and have the support of the Victorian Council of Churches Social Questions Commission.

We have also drafted a set of Standards that we think that businesses and communities involved in the trade of Christian related items should adhere to.

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Act NOW! – Our current action is about young people and work

Ask the Victorian Government for better workplace laws for young people

The Victorian Government can legislate to specifically protect young people (15-17) in Victorian workplaces. The Government is currently reviewing laws in this area and the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania has been positively liaising with the Government and other community groups about this issue. The Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Rob Hulls has congratulated the church and community groups for their feedback so far. We are very hopeful for a good outcome.

Ensuring decent conditions for young workers should be a priority for Governments, employers and all others involved in the employment area. Many young people do not feel confident about negotiating their terms and conditions of employment.

There should be a set of standards for Victorian workplaces that are stronger than Commonwealth protections for workers 18 or above. New Victorian laws should respond to these and other issues:

• unpaid training (including so-called ‘trials’);
• extra pay for work undertaken on the weekend or late night work;
• advanced notice of changes to rosters so young people can better plan;
• the right of regular casuals to have their employment status transferred to permanent;
• safer workplaces – particularly in the areas of sexual and other harassment;
• underpayment for work; and,
• proper meal breaks.

Also, there is a need for greater community education in this area. Specific monitoring resources should also be allocated by the Victorian Government to ensure that young people are not exploited or abused at work.

Note: the Victorian Government provides an advice line for Victorian workers.

The international situation

Homeworkers’ ages range between 14 – 80 years, the majority being aged between 30-40 years, mostly married and have children. Children and family members of homeworkers frequently work to assist to complete the work or contribute to the family income.  Education levels are generally low with many women having low literacy rates.

Homeworkers generally carry the family financial responsibilities with many migrating to find work, and overseas Indigenous women face discrimination on numerous levels.  Workers either seek work through agents or directly to a factory or employer, while they have limited access to markets in the case of own account workers, many become dependent upon agents or intermediaries to find work.  Commonplace is income - patching, especially in rural areas, where seasonal work needs to be subsidized at other times.

The principal reason for doing homework is because economic conditions necessitate this kind of work so that women can support their family. Most homeworkers report some type of health condition as a result of their work (for example - backache, headaches, asthma, poor eyesight, effects of pesticides, dyes and in more extreme cases loss of limbs, miscarriages, deafness, electrocution, poisoning, respiratory problems and general lethargy and poor health).

The average working day is 10 hours but it is not unusual for homeworkers to work longer hours, at times around the clock, without sleep, to complete orders. Homeworkers report earning very low rates for their work, or even where they may earn more through selling direct the work is so irregular that the income they receive barely meet their basic needs.  Earnings are irregular and often as little as 1/5 to 1/3 of minimum wages in each country. Few homeworkers are members of a trade union, group or organisation, although, as indicated by organising initiatives undertaken with homeworkers, this trend can be reversed, with a majority of homeworkers joining some form of group, cooperative, organisation or union.

Common problems reported by homeworkers include, but are not limited to:

• very low payment by employers;
• no regular work;
• lack of good equipment, tools, threads etc.;
• difficulties in access or supply of raw materials;
• lack of training;
• feel isolated and alone; and,
• poor treatment by employers.

The above information comes from Homeworkers Worldwide (2004).

Homeworkers in Australia

The Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania has been involved in the FairWear campaign to end exploitation of Australian home and sweatshop workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industry for over ten years. Despite the maintenance of legislated safeguards in this area, the church continues to hear of abuses in this industry.

Over the past ten years the following state and federal inquiries have consistently found that homeworkers receive payment and conditions significantly lower than their award and statutory entitlements. These include:

• Productivity Commission (2003) Inquiry into assistance to the TCF industry 2005;
• Senate Economics Reference Committee Inquiry (1996) Outworkers in the Garment Industry;
• Industry Commission Inquiry (1997) The Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Industries;
• NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice (1998) Inquiry into Workplace Safety; and,
• Family and Community Development Committee (2002) Inquiry into the Conditions of Clothing Outworkers in Victoria.

The FairWear campaign (made up of Christian, women’s and worker organisations) has been successful in persuading some Australian manufacturers and retailers to sign the No Sweat Shop label (Homeworkers Code of Practice). Despite this, homeworkers interviewed for more recent research in 2007 by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (Ethical Threads) indicated that conditions had worsened in the last five years. A shortage of work had left them with very little bargaining power with contractors. One group said they were paid $2.50 for a detailed shirt which took one hour to sew. Another group said they were paid between $2 and $3 an hour. When asked about hours worked, most indicated that they often went weeks without a job but when the work was available they worked long hours.

In 2008 the Commonwealth Government decided to allocate $4 million over four years for the Homeworkers Code of Practice Committee that oversees the No Sweat Shop label. It is hoped that this large injection of funds will help change the buying habits of consumers so that clothing is not produced in sweat shops and is not made under unethical conditions in the homes of outworkers.

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Examples of lack of care for safety of young people (15-17) working – three cases

• A 15 year old girl employed in a fast-food shop, was given a bucket containing caustic soda by the owner and asked to clean the ovens. The employer failed to inform her of the contents of the bucket and did not provide her with necessary training or adequate protective gear. She suffered burns to her body and required hospital treatment which the employer agreed to pay. However, the employer found the bill amounting to $99 was “excessive” and refused to give her any more shifts. The employer alleged the accident was her fault. JobWatch also found that she had been underpaid by 50% and that the employer had no insurance. (JobWatch Annual Report 2006-2007)
• In October 2004, a 16 year old lost three fingertips after they were crushed in a press at Conditionaire International, based in Miranda, south Sydney. The NSW Industrial Relations Commission found that the company had provided inadequate supervision and training to the 16 year old who had been working at the company for just four months. (WorkCover NSW, 2006, WorkCover News: The Workplace safety and injury magazine)
• In December 2001, 16-year-old asthma sufferer Dwayne Doyle had commenced work at a family company called MA Coleman Joinery, located in Lidcombe in Sydney’s west.  Whilst at work, four colleagues attacked him and wrapped him in cling wrap from neck to feet. His shoes and bag were then filled with sawdust and he was placed on a work trolley. The men then covered him with sawdust and squirted wood glue in his shoes, over his body and into his mouth. Dwayne coughed and choked and was unable to breathe. The director of the business knew that this ‘initiation’ would occur but failed to prevent it. The employees responsible for the incident were not disciplined. The NSW Chief Industrial Magistrate found that the business had failed to adequately supervise or train its employees. (Court punishes employers on workplace bullying, The Australian, 2004)

Before the introduction of recent changes to the industrial relations framework by the previous Commonwealth Government (WorkChoices), research, including studies undertaken by Job Watch in 2004, identified that young workers were more vulnerable and liable to exploitation in the workplace, and required additional protection. A survey, also in 2004, of 599 young people under the age of 25, from 278 individual fast food outlets found that 25% of participants did not receive a 30 minute break after working for five hours continuously. 53% of respondents said they worked longer than an 8 hour shift and 32% worked shifts of 11 hours or more in duration. 10% of respondents said they were paid below the legal minimum wage and 43% did not know if they were receiving the legal minimum pay.

Apart from work undertaken by Job Watch, there is little information available regarding the compliance of Victorian employers with Federal and Victorian (Common Rule) Award terms and conditions of employment.

The Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania compiled research for a submission to the Inquiry into the impact of the federal government’s Work Choices legislation on workers and employers in the Victorian retail and hospitality industries that was conducted by the Office of the Workplace Rights Advocate. This research highlighted that the kinds of incidents outlined here, and issues such as underpayment and lack of meal breaks are not uncommon in Victoria.

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According to the 2005 New South Wales Children at Work survey (NSW commission for children and young people) the five types of work done by the majority of children are baby sitting, sales work, leaflet and newspaper delivery work, agricultural and horticultural work and cleaning.

Family businesses are a common place of work for children (a 2006 ABS study indicated that at least 33% of children under 15 worked on a family farm or in a family business between June 2005 and June 2006).

Many children engaged in agricultural and horticultural work on a family farm are exposed to potential dangers (even if this is deemed ‘light work’) such as working around dangerous machinery and equipment. Research undertaken by the South Australian Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service found that 30 children aged 0 to 14 years die on Australian farms each year and approximately 600 are admitted to hospital because of farm-related injuries.

There continues to be a lack of detailed data in relation to the employment of children. For example, Worksafe Victoria merely provides statistics on injuries in the workplace for an aggregate of those aged under 20. The available data from the Worksafe found online indicates that there were between 700 and 1,000 injuries per annum of those aged under 20 (1996 to 2006). The mentioned research undertaken by the South Australian Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service states that, “On average, 30 children aged 0 to 14 years die on Australian farms each year and around 600 are admitted to hospital because of farm-related injuries”.

Young people have always been particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of experience, and in many cases confidence, to speak up when they are being treated unfairly or are working in unsafe conditions. In a submission to the ACT Government in 2007, the Youth Coalition of the ACT states that young people are likely to have:

• low levels of knowledge about industrial relations;
• limited experience in workplace bargaining;
• low levels of accessing complaints processes;
• significant power imbalances between themselves and their employers;
• work in low skill industries; and,
• high levels of unemployment.

Some of the key issues raised in the Child Employment Principles Case 2007 by the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales relating to Occupational Health & Safety, were the issue of high rates (and non-reporting) of accidents concerning young people. The Case found a high level of incidences of harassment and bullying of children/young people in employment (particularly verbal).

Some of the other key issues raised in the Child Employment Principles Case 2007 include:

• exploitation due to unpaid training;
• importance of higher rates for weekend work;
• the importance of advance notice of rosters and changes to rosters;
• the potential negative affects of long and irregular hours of work late at night or early in the morning; and,
• a high level of casual employment amongst young people.

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The Bible is a very important document for Christians, to say the least! These Scriptures speak against those who make profit through the exploitation of workers; God is “against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan” (Malachi 3:5).

Christians have a tradition of Sabbath, of an allocated time of rest, where the human soul, body and mind have the opportunity to be restored and refreshed for the work to come. The Sabbath is a sign of freedom (Heb 4:9-10) - that can caution against making work a false idol. The Sabbath allows time for worship, and constitutes a barrier against people becoming involuntary (or voluntary) slaves to work (and is thus a defence of the poor).

Jesus probably spent most of his life as a manual worker – a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Jesus believed that the meaning of the Sabbath had been lost due to mere surface observance (of the rules relating to it) – rather than adherence to the real reason behind it, which is based on the needs of the person (Mk 2:27). Jesus healed people on the Sabbath day to illustrate that this is the day of God, and that it is the day where people can dedicate themselves to God and others (Lk 6:6-11 / Lk 13:10-17 / Lk 14:1-6). Near the end of the Bible, the Letter of James defends the rights of workers to a just wage (Jas 5:4).

For Christians, it follows then that people are not simply human resources alongside other resources. Any work environment should be a place where people are respected and where they can enjoy dignified conditions and responsibilities and paid appropriately in return for hard work.

Justice at work (and human rights)

The market place is driven by the desire for profit. Unfortunately some will value profit more than the need to offer dignity to others. This is why the work environment must be ordered in such a way that protects people’s rights and true value.

In the 2006 policy, Dignity in Humanity: Recognising Christ in Every Person, the Uniting Church in Australia affirmed support for the human rights standards recognised by the United Nations (this includes those issued by the International Labour Organisation). The Uniting Church noted that “internationally recognised human rights are indivisible, universal and inalienable” and that, “no rights are possible without all that is necessary for a decent life, including the rights to work with just pay and conditions…”

Thanks to Rev Deacon Natalie A Dixon-Monu who contributed some ideas for this section.
Also see - Compendium of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004 (this informs the Scriptural references above)

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In the Gospel of Luke (1:53) in Christian Scripture, Mary, the mother of Jesus, states that God fills the hungry with good things. Central to the Christian message is that God prioritises the needs of the poor. Near the end of the Christian Scriptures, the Letter of James defends the rights of workers to a just wage (James 5:4).

In the early history of Christianity, seminal writers exhorted the faithful to treat the slaves of their day with high respect. In the 18th Century Christians in Britain and France led the movement for the abolition of slavery. In the 19th Century, Pope Leo XIII condemned unjust and forceful workplace practices perpetrated by employers or contractors during the period. Today, many Christians are involved in assisting vulnerable Australian workers, in such industries as cleaning and clothing, to be afforded their basic legal entitlements. Christian communities also celebrated the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade in 2007. The Salvation Army, with others in the Stop the Traffik campaign, is working to counter exploitation of labour in the production of chocolate, calling on chocolate manufacturers to act ethically.

By supporting JustHolyHardware you can strengthen the call made by the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victorian and Tasmania (and others) to Christian communities, retailers and suppliers that they should work together to try to ensure that the fundamental human dignity of those who make Christian-related products are respected.

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In October 2004, a 16 year old lost three fingertips after they were crushed in a press at Conditionaire International, based in Miranda, south Sydney. The NSW Industrial Relations Commission found that the company had provided inadequate supervision and training to the 16 year old who had been working at the company for just four months. 
(WorkCover NSW, 2006, WorkCover News: The Workplace safety and injury magazine)

Have you ever got the feeling that you have been treated unfairly at work? Have you ever treated someone else badly at work? Work is an important part of life. At work we make choices. These decisions are made within an area that is subject to law and Government policy. Recently in Australia this bigger picture of work and how it should be regulated (or deregulated) has been vigorously debated. What laws should be in place to help us have better relations with each other at work?

Christians have not stood by and watched idly when this debate has occurred. So what do Christians think about work?

The Christian perspective on work
The Judeo-Christian perspective on humanity is that we are all purposely created in the image and likeness of God. All human life is of value and should be treated with the respect and dignity God intended us to have.

[Read more on Christians and work]

JustAct is highlighting two key issues relating to justice and employment. Some of these issues rarely get a public airing, so it is time to take some action.

Young Workers

The world of work brings with it responsibility and challenge. Young workers (15-17 years olds) often endure work in unsafe conditions and do not enjoy pay and working conditions that many other sections of the workforce take for granted. When young people are experiencing the formal workplace for the first time - this is a formative experience. Unstable and unrewarding work for young people can result in entrenching a ‘dog eat dog’ atmosphere that erodes commitment to building a compassionate and strong community. Young people deserve to have safe, stable and rewarding work environments – this benefits the good of all.

Homeworkers

Have you ever wondered why that pair of jeans ‘made in China’ is so cheap? Many homeworkers and workers in what are known as ‘sweat shops’ throughout the world remain an underclass which can provide a pool of cheap and submissive workers in both industrialised and developing countries. Christian communities (and others) of all persuasions have played a part in highlighting this issue. You can play a part in striving for justice for home workers here and overseas by calling for more countries, including Australia, to support an international agreement to protect these most vulnerable workers.

Hindu Extremists launch wave of attacks on Christians in Orissa State, India

October 2008

The mob came with weapons shouting Jai Bajrang bali (Hail Hanuman) and using abusive language cursing Christian villagers. They burnt two Church of North India churches, one Roman Catholic church and one Independent Pentecostal church. We all ran to the jungle. But Pastor Samuel Nayak was not that fortunate. They caught him and killed him in front of his wife. They also set his mother on fire.
Pastor Premanad Nayak of the Church of North India, Bakingia, Kandhamal

Update

The Church of North India, a partner church of the Uniting Church in Australia, has appealed for support from the Uniting Church and other churches in the face of a wave of violent attacks by Hindu nationalist extremists against the minority Christian population in Orissa State. The Church of North India has described the situation as a ‘reign of terror’.

A Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and four other people were murdered on 23 August by Maoist guerillas. However, Hindu nationalist extremists blamed the murder on the Christian community.

An estimated 50,000 Christians have been forced to flee their homes, women have been raped and burnt, a Catholic nun was pack raped, and priests have been tortured. More than 36 people have been murdered in the violence and over 400 injured. Some reports from churches suggest that the actual number of people murdered could be in the hundreds. More than 400 churches and prayer halls have been ransacked and desecrated, and hymn books and bibles have been burnt. More than 30,000 Christians now living in refugee camps or are hiding in the forests, including children from orphanages that have been destroyed leaving the children without shelter. Even the refugee camps have been attacked by Hindu extremists, some of whom have attempted to poison the water supply to the camps. More than 100 Christian educational institutions have been attacked.

One of those murdered was a young Hindu woman, Rajni Majh, who worked at a Catholic orphanage. Rajni was tied up by Hindu extremists and thrown into the burning orphanage.

The churches report that Christians captured by the Hindu extremists are being forced to convert to Hinduism. Hindu extremists have threatened to murder all Christians in Orissa to wipe them from the state.

The violence has spread to other states controlled by the Hindu nationalist Bharantiya Janata Party (BJP). In Madhya Pradesh, Hindu nationalists burnt down the 86-year-old St Bartholomew Anglican Church in Ratlam city.

On 30 September a mob of 3,000 Hindu extremists burnt 300 houses and three churches in Kandhamal, while police stood by and watched. One person was murdered and two required medical treatment.

Churches have expressed concern that they and related non-government organizations have been blocked from being able to distribute relief materials except through the Red Cross. The church leaders have stated that they have no confidence in the management of the Red Cross in Orissa as it is managed by the Government officers most of whom are party to violence against the Christians

The churches have also complained that many innocent Christians have been taken into police custody and been subjected to inhumane methods of interrogation. At the same time the police refuse to register complaints by Christians when they have been the victims of criminal activity.

Church of North India leaders have filed a petition with the National Commission for Minorities seeking national government intervention. A church delegation met with the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Manmoham Singh, who said the situation in Orissa State was a ìa national shameî. He stated the Chief Minister and Governor of Orissa State had failed to undertake their duties.

The Chief Minister of Orissa, The Hon. Navin Patnayak, promised a delegation of church leaders on 17 September that the Christians in the State will be protected and offered assurance that all possible efforts were being taken to restore peace and harmony in the State.

Some photos are too disturbing for publication: this photo is of a burnt out orphanage - part of the attacks

[Some more background information from Radio National]

Take Action Now: points to include in your email (see below – You Can Help)

• Express your horror at the atrocities committed against the Christian community in Orissa and neighbouring states and the failure of the Indian authorities to take timely and effective action end these gross human rights abuses.
• Ask for assurance that immediate and effective measures will be taken to end the attacks and to bring to justice those responsible for the reported murders, rapes and arson of homes, shops, schools, orphanages and churches.
• Express deep concern at reports that local police have ignored some of the crimes being committed and have failed to carry out investigations into the crimes when the victims are Christians.
• Ask specifically about what steps have been taken to investigate the murders of Pastor Akbar Digal, Pastor Samuel Nayak of Bakingia, Kandhamal, Pastor Matthew Naik from Kanbagiri, seven month pregnant Kamalini Naik and her one year old son from Kandhamal district and Pastor Gopana Naik from Badimunda and to bring those responsible to justice.
• Ask what investigation has been conducted into the attack on four nuns of the Missionaries of Charity who were travelling on a train from Raipur to Indore on 5 September that resulted in the nuns being severe injuried.
• Ask what investigation is being conducted into the murder of a young woman, Rajni Majh, who was burned to death by a mob on 25 August at the orphanage where she worked.
• Ask that the Indian authorities take immediate and effective action to provide all necessary support to people who have been forced to flee their homes to ensure their health and well-being and to provide them with adequate compensation to rebuild their homes.
• Ask that relief agencies and Indian churches be allowed free access to provide humanitarian relief to those who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the persecution they have been subjected to.

Also see action update

Update

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Act NOW! – At the moment we are asking for you to help Pastor Berlin Guerrero

Help the UCCP to seek justice for Pastor Berlin Guerrero

Pastor Berlin Guerrero from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) was abducted and tortured by members of the Filipino security forces in May 2007 and remains in prison awaiting trial on what the UCCP and the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania (JIM Unit) believe are trumped up charges.

The UCCP has partnership agreements with the Uniting Church in Australia.

When Pastor Guerrero was abducted he was travelling with his family, wife (Mylene) and three children, after leaving a local church in which he serves. The motor tricycle they were travelling in was cut off by a white van in front of the Seven Star petrol station at Bgy Casile, Binan, Laguna and armed men abducted Pastor Guerrero. The van had its number plates covered. The attackers stole Mylene’s bag, mobile phone, laptop and the money collected in the church service they had come from. Pastor Guerrero had a cloth placed over his head and he was beaten, punched and kicked repeatedly on the journey. He was taken to an unknown location and tortured by being beaten with fists and blunt objects and having a plastic bag placed over his head until he fell unconscious twice.

Those torturing him were able to force him to give them the names and addresses of his family, members of his church, the name of the administrator at the Union Theological Seminary and leaders of local labour rights and peasant organisations.

They tortured him to extract the password for his computer and wiped off all his church, school and personal files, replacing them with incriminating files.

Pastor Guerrero was threatened with death and being burnt.

He was taken to Camp platoon Garcia, Cavite Provincial Police Office, Imus, Cavite when they finished torturing him. He has been placed under arrest with charges of murder and sedition.

Some progress has been made. Arrest warrants have been issued in late 2007 against the four members of the Filipino security forces responsible for the abduction and torture of Pastor Berlin Guerrero on 27 May 2007.

However, Pastor Guerrero is still in prison. He has organised a regular lay formation program for fellow prisoners which is held every Thursday and Sunday he helps to lead an ecumenical worship service in the prison. He also organised the Cavite Provincial Jail Choir which conducted a Christmas concert. The Chief Warden at the prison has publicly expressed his deep gratitude for the ministry being undertaken.

The appeal of Pastor Guerrero to have the charges against him dismissed was heard in February 2008 and a decision is pending.

STOP PRESS*

On August 20 2008 members of the UCCP Council of Bishops marched to the Court of Appeals to appeal the immediate release of Pastor Berlin Guerrero.

If the Court of Appeals will decide to dismiss the Information for murder against Pastor Berlin Guerrero, he can be immediately released. This is the hope and prayer of the Council of Bishops of the UCCP. However, if the Court of Appeals does not decide in favour of Pastor Berlin he will stand trial on the trumped-up murder charge.

“It will be very disturbing seeing a pastor, who has committed his life to God in the service of God’s people, standing trial for murder. But, it’s really not so different than the story of Jesus and His disciples in the Bible. We hope and pray the case of murder will be quashed and that justice will prevail,” Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua, UCCP’s secretary-general said.

*Source: Noel Sales Barcelona www.cbcpnews.com

STOP PRESS #2

On September 11 Pastor Guerrero was released from jail (on the equivalent of ‘bail’), but his court case is still ongoing. We still need your help. We still need emails. Call for justice in this case, and state that there is much support for Pastor Guerrero.

For more information go here

STOP PRESS #3

Because of this new information (Stop Press #2) when you write letters include the following points:

• Welcome the news that Pastor Guerrero was released on Thursday 11th September (but note that his case is still pending).
• Call for the case against Pastor Guerrero to now be quashed, given the lack of evidence supporting the charges.

STOP PRESS #4 - case is now dismissed!

Last September 11, the third Branch of Court Appeals chaired by Justice Martin Villarama ordered a temporary restraining order barring Bacoor Regional Trial Court to proceed with the trumped up murder charge against Pastor Berlin and likewise ordered his temporary release in the custody of his counsels. Yesterday, September 25, the CA so ordered to lift and/or recall the warrant of arrests and Alias warrants of arrest and directed the lower court to quash the informations therein and dismiss the criminal case of murder against Pastor Berlin.

Indeed this is a triumph of justice against repression, of truth against lies.

Thanks to all who helped by sending an email - activism works!

The Christian community has a long relationship with tertiary education. In Europe many of the great universities were founded by the Church. In the United States of America, Christian Congregationalists also played a part in setting up Universities. Christians have always valued education.

The Uniting Church in Australia has committed itself to the promotion of internationally recognised United Nations human rights instruments, stating that, following on from the commitment of the World Council of Churches (Eighth Assembly, 1998, Together on the Way), these human rights standards are only realised where, “all that is necessary for a decent life, including the rights to … education for the full development of the human potential and the right of people to participate fully in decision-making about their common future”, are available to all (Dignity in Humanity: Recognising Christ in Every Person, A Uniting Church in Australia Statement on Human Rights).

The United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognises:

• the right of everyone to education;
• that education should be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity;
• that education should strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• that education should enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace; and,
• higher education should be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education.

[Next Section]
[To take action on tertiary education and poverty go here]

The 2007 What’s Fair in Education Forum highlighted the following issues:

• strong support for building course connectedness with the world of work (and for course related work experience);
• strong support for increased provision of on-campus careers counselling;
• tighter regulation of the promotion (i.e. ‘truth in advertising’) of tertiary institutions and future career prospects of graduates; and,
• the level of expenditure on student recruitment should not exceed the level spent on student welfare and employment support.

[Home]
[To take action on tertiary education and poverty go here]

In March 2008 the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania made a Submission regarding The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). This Submission highlighted:

• the central role of student organisations in the life of the University – particularly in the essential areas of providing independent representation and professional academic advocacy (as well as support for student religious, political, sporting and creative arts organisations and clubs);
• the need for appropriate income support for students to facilitate meaningful student participation in academic and social life on campus; and,
• the importance of the provision of a range of student services for disadvantaged students including
  - emergency financial support and advice
  - housing support
  - careers counselling
  - special assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  - pastoral care and counselling
  - chaplaincy
  - childcare
  - assistance for those students experiencing language and learning difficulties
  - special education assistance for those students from rural and isolated areas, as required.

The 2007 What’s Fair in Education Forum highlighted the following issues:

• the whole learning framework (including curriculum and income support- see below) should be conducive to students better managing their life/study/work balance;
• the cost of text books, computers and other materials are too high for many students – the idea of subsidising these costs should be investigated by the Commonwealth Government.
• support for the most vulnerable in learning communities should be expanded (tertiary institutions should look at better ways to creatively revamp their processes for allowing student so apply for support);
• building better campus communities is very important - the tradition of collegiality (i.e. all who attend a university or TAFE are members of that community with corresponding rights and responsibilities) needs to be revived; and,
• tertiary institutions and Government should work on ways to practically aid social integration for students during their critical first two weeks - in particular they should identify first generation tertiary education students so that extra assistance can be provided.

The Commonwealth should provide adequate income support so that all can participate meaningfully in the learning community of the tertiary institution (and more broadly). There should be better income support of tertiary students in the following areas:

• the age of independence for Youth Allowance recipients should be reduced from 25 to 18 so that students are not assessed on the basis of their parents’ income and assets;
• the Youth Allowance threshold of earned income before penalty (the ‘penalty’ is reduction of youth allowance due to higher wages) should be raised (and regularly increased in line with changes to the cost of living as judged by the Consumer Price Index) from $6000 to at least $8000; and,
• scholarships providing financial support should not be included as accessible income when evaluating eligibility for income support.

No student should receive Commonwealth income support that results in them being below the poverty line.

[Next section]
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[To take action on tertiary education and poverty go here]

The What’s Fair in Education forum held on the 17th October 2007 as part of Anti-Poverty Week by the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania and RMIT Chaplaincy highlighted the following issues:

• more welfare agencies should move away from a welfare model towards more of an education model;
• young people hoping to access tertiary education should have access to mentoring partnerships during their secondary school years;
• individuals should be properly resourced and supported so they are able to make their own decisions about higher education (irrespective of parents post code etc.); and,
• careers teachers should have improved access to students before they reach year ten.

In addition, forum Chairperson Fr. Bob Maguire suggested that, ‘all prisons should provide tertiary education’; and, ‘people working with street people require accredited training (develop a system similar to Doctor’s without Borders in the education system)’.

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In April 2002 the Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly released its National Education Charter which committed the Uniting Church to:

• continue to ‘uphold a value system based on love, social justice and compassion within which morality is defined’;
• demonstrating ‘support for Government education institutions’ and ‘the establishment of its own … colleges and supporting institutions’;
• education being a ‘lifelong journey by which all people develop the ability to participate in society and lead lives that are life creating and life sharing’;
• ‘Quality education that is accessible and equitable for all’;
• ‘Pastoral care and chaplaincy within educational institutions’;
• education being conducive to people being able to ‘participate fully in society’ … ‘nurturing the development of the whole person – body, mind and spirit – within the community’;
• valuing ‘cultural and religious diversity’;
• respect for ‘the needs of individual learners, especially those whose ability requires special education provisions … and directs resources to areas of greatest need’;
• advocating for Australia and institutions to ‘give fiscal priority to the provision of lifelong education, especially in areas of need or disadvantage’ as well as being ‘accountable for holistic and integrated approaches to education’ and the ‘educational needs of indigenous people, those with special education needs and those from rural and isolated areas’.

The 17th of October 2007 forum held by the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania and RMIT Chaplaincy highlighted many issues for further work in relation to poverty and tertiary education. The forum was supported by the National Council of Churches in Australia, University of Melbourne Chaplaincy and VISTA (an association of Vocational Education and Training professionals) and others. The forum discussed issues connected to getting into education, staying in education and gaining meaningful employment after education. Panel speakers included Dr. Helen Kimberly (Executive Director of the Equity Research Centre), Professor Richard James (Director the University of Melbourne’s Centre for the Study of Higher Education) and Ms. Maree Bovell (Manager for Employment and Training Services at the Brotherhood of St Laurence). The forum was hosted by Father Bob Maguire.

The recommendations from this forum, What’s Fair in Education, strongly inform the policy ideas presented in JustEducation.

The main aim of this forum was to develop a network of people interested in the issues of access, equity and poverty within education. If you are interested in joining the Just Education Network, please tick the box in the Just Join In section to the right.

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[To take action on tertiary education and poverty go here]

Special thanks to 2007 RMIT University placement students Geoffrey Mead and Kirstin Ritchie for assisting in the compilation of these figures.

• It appears likely that parental educational levels (and parental occupation levels) are the best predictor of the likelihood of higher education participation. (Universities Australia – 2008)
• While rural students make up a third of the secondary student population, they only contribute 17% to those in tertiary education. (ABC online - 2007)
• Commonwealth figures demonstrate the significant reduction over the past decade in unmet demand for TAFE places. However, the decrease, from 69,400, still leaves 34,200 places in demand. (DEST - 2006)
• Vocational educational training (VET) appears to have more appeal than higher education for some people from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. The participation rates of low SES people relative to medium/high SES people are stronger in VET than in higher education. However, despite the higher rate of VET participation there is still a shortfall in overall participation in tertiary education for people from low SES backgrounds. (Universities Australia – 2008)
  [Getting there - JustAct alternatives for change]

• For performance at university access to education, rather than success once enrolled, is a key problem for low socio-economic status (SES) students (however, low SES remote students and Indigenous Australian students continue to lack positive outcomes from university participation once enrolled). (Universities Australia - 2008)
• About 70% of full-time undergraduates work an average of 15 hours a week during a semester - 39% believed their paid employment had an adverse affect on their studies. (Universities Australia – 2007)
• One in eight students reported that they regularly go without food or other necessities because they cannot afford them. (Universities Australia – 2007)
• The maximum Youth Allowance benefit that can be received by a student under 25 and living in a share house is 38% ($245 per fortnight) below the poverty line ($645.15 per fortnight). (National Union of Students - 2006)
• Although payments are helpful, the Youth Allowance eligibility criteria are far too strict, and Youth Allowance does not address the needs of regional Australians, creating a barrier to tertiary education. (Godden - Monash University, Charles Sturt University, The Foundation for Young Australians, and The University of Western Australia – 2007)
• A Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) report found that at least four postgraduate student associations have been reduced to 5% of their pre-voluntary student unionism (VSU) funding, while their staff numbers have been cut by half. Importantly, representation and advocacy services for students (often beneficial for students considering leaving their courses) have been severely reduced. (Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations - 2007)
• Cutbacks resulting from voluntary student unionism are expected to negatively impact low-income and rural students. One university has been forced to halve its yearly $10,000 budget for food vouchers and eliminate a textbook subsidy, while another has been forced to terminate its $1500 interest-free loan scheme. (Students’ Representatives Council, University of Sydney – 2007)

Note: In 2008 the Commonwealth Government is considering changes to current laws unfavourable to student organisations. [Staying there - JustAct alternatives for change]

• Students from high socio-economic (SES) backgrounds are far more likely to pay their HECS/FEE-HELP fees up-front, leaving students from lower SES backgrounds with a large debt upon entering the workforce and a consequent lower after-tax income. (Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management – 2006)
• The national HECS debt has reached nearly $13 billion with the Government expecting close to 20% ($2.5 billion) not to be paid back (DEST – 2007), while one in three OECD nations provide free education. (OECD - 2007)
• Professor Richard James has found that two-thirds of secondary students expressed a preference for university over other options. (National Centre for Vocational Research- 2007)
• Despite a preference for university study over other types of tertiary education only half the proportion of those aspiring to will go on to university and realise their aspirations. (Dusseldorp Skills Forum – 2007).
• Although TAFE graduates have greater labour force participation than university graduates, they are twice as likely to be employed part-time (25% compared to 12%) and more than twice as likely to be unemployed (12% compared to 5%). (NCVER - 2002).
  [Beyond - JustAct alternatives for change]

[Home]
[To take action on tertiary education and poverty go here]

Our last action highlighted the plight of local tertiary students, and access to income support. There has been some improvement in this area and we will be undertaking further analysis. Now it is important to support the rights of international tertiary students.

International students are visitors to our country; we should be hospitable. In some cases they will be future citizens. International students contribute an enormous amount to our economy. Victorian international students should get the same public transport concessions as domestic students (as is the case in Tasmania).

Public Transport Concessions for all Victorian tertiary students

Contact the Hon Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Skills and Workforce Participation.

In your own words respectfully express your concern (or the concern of the community that you represent) and write a respectful email or letter and the Minister and ask her to consider discussing with her Government colleagues, including the Victorian Minister for Transport, the Hon. Lynne Kosky, the proposal that international students be provided with the same transport concession rates as local students, as is the case in Tasmania. For more information go here.

Contact the Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Skills and Workforce Participation. Level 36, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Email: jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au

[Home]

I struggle every week with my finances. I get paid the bare minimum wage and I can only work once a week due to my timetable. I am constantly worrying about the huge debt I am getting into: how am I going to be able to pay this money back? Constantly having to think ahead to make sure I have just enough money to afford the next field trip, textbook or put petrol in my car so I can actually make it to my classes. I even tried to condense my timetable so that I can save on petrol. 
(Quote from female, full-time undergraduate) – From 2007 presentation by Professor Richard James 
at the What’s Fair in Education forum held October 2007

Education is not the only answer to social problems but it plays an important role by assisting people to learn more about themselves and how they can contribute to the broader community. People who are poor, particularly Indigenous and rural Australians, need more educational opportunities (and extra help when they get into education).

JustEducation is for people who think that tertiary education and training is a cornerstone of our community. Strong support is needed for disadvantaged members of our community to get into tertiary education, thrive when they get there - and secure valuable opportunities beyond.

The Uniting Church in Australia commitment to tertiary education (and training)

So what is wrong?

At the What’s Fair in Education forum Professor James delivered a sobering presentation on the broad socio-economic status (SES) imbalances in Australian higher education (SES is generally based on students’ home address postcode but can also refer to the educational levels and occupations of students’ parents). Participants in the forum were shocked to hear that the likelihood of medium SES Australians attending university is only 56 per cent of the likelihood of high SES Australians doing so.

Also, more students are taking out loans, missing classes to work and saying that work is having an adverse effect on their studies.

[Read more on this issue]
[Next Section]
[To take action on tertiary education and poverty go here]

JustEndPersecution issues an action once a month, suggesting letters that can be written (and prayer points). Some examples of action taken by the End Christian Persecution Network include:

• arrest warrants were issued in late 2007 against the four members of the Filipino security forces responsible for the abduction and torture of Pastor Berlin Guerrero on 27 May 2007;
• Fr Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, a Vietnamese Catholic priest, was imprisoned on October 2001 with a sentence of 15 years (his ‘crime’ was writing a submission to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus) but Fr Thadeus was subsequently released in 2004 after an international campaign for his release;
• in late 2006, three Muslim men were tried and convicted in Indonesia for the 29 October 2005 murders of three Christian teenage school girls who were beheaded with machetes as they were walking home from school in Poso, Central Sulawesi (a fourth girl escaped with wounds);
• Joel Flores, accused of having murdered United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) member Jose Doton (gunned down by two men on a motorcycle on 16 May 2006), was brought to trial for the murder on 3 October 2007 (it was the first case of the murder of a UCCP member since 2004 in which someone has been arrested for murder and brought to trial); and,
• Pastor Rinaldy Damanik, who was released from imprisonment in Indonesia on false weapons charges in November 2004 (he received 76,000 letters of support internationally while he was in prison).

Hindu Extremists launch wave of attacks on Christians in Orissa State, India

October 2008

The mob came with weapons shouting Jai Bajrang bali (Hail Hanuman) and using abusive language cursing Christian villagers. They burnt two Church of North India churches, one Roman Catholic church and one Independent Pentecostal church. We all ran to the jungle. But Pastor Samuel Nayak was not that fortunate. They caught him and killed him in front of his wife. They also set his mother on fire.
Pastor Premanad Nayak of the Church of North India, Bakingia, Kandhamal

Update

The Church of North India, a partner church of the Uniting Church in Australia, has appealed for support from the Uniting Church and other churches in the face of a wave of violent attacks by Hindu nationalist extremists against the minority Christian population in Orissa State. The Church of North India has described the situation as a ‘reign of terror’.

A Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and four other people were murdered on 23 August by Maoist guerillas. However, Hindu nationalist extremists blamed the murder on the Christian community.

An estimated 50,000 Christians have been forced to flee their homes, women have been raped and burnt, a Catholic nun was pack raped, and priests have been tortured. More than 36 people have been murdered in the violence and over 400 injured. Some reports from churches suggest that the actual number of people murdered could be in the hundreds. More than 400 churches and prayer halls have been ransacked and desecrated, and hymn books and bibles have been burnt. More than 30,000 Christians now living in refugee camps or are hiding in the forests, including children from orphanages that have been destroyed leaving the children without shelter. Even the refugee camps have been attacked by Hindu extremists, some of whom have attempted to poison the water supply to the camps. More than 100 Christian educational institutions have been attacked.

One of those murdered was a young Hindu woman, Rajni Majh, who worked at a Catholic orphanage. Rajni was tied up by Hindu extremists and thrown into the burning orphanage.

The churches report that Christians captured by the Hindu extremists are being forced to convert to Hinduism. Hindu extremists have threatened to murder all Christians in Orissa to wipe them from the state.

The violence has spread to other states controlled by the Hindu nationalist Bharantiya Janata Party (BJP). In Madhya Pradesh, Hindu nationalists burnt down the 86-year-old St Bartholomew Anglican Church in Ratlam city.

On 30 September a mob of 3,000 Hindu extremists burnt 300 houses and three churches in Kandhamal, while police stood by and watched. One person was murdered and two required medical treatment.

Churches have expressed concern that they and related non-government organizations have been blocked from being able to distribute relief materials except through the Red Cross. The church leaders have stated that they have no confidence in the management of the Red Cross in Orissa as it is managed by the Government officers most of whom are party to violence against the Christians

The churches have also complained that many innocent Christians have been taken into police custody and been subjected to inhumane methods of interrogation. At the same time the police refuse to register complaints by Christians when they have been the victims of criminal activity.

Church of North India leaders have filed a petition with the National Commission for Minorities seeking national government intervention. A church delegation met with the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Manmoham Singh, who said the situation in Orissa State was a ìa national shameî. He stated the Chief Minister and Governor of Orissa State had failed to undertake their duties.

The Chief Minister of Orissa, The Hon. Navin Patnayak, promised a delegation of church leaders on 17 September that the Christians in the State will be protected and offered assurance that all possible efforts were being taken to restore peace and harmony in the State.

Some photos are too disturbing for publication: this photo is of a burnt out orphanage - part of the attacks

Take Action Now: points to include in your email (see below – You Can Help)

• Express your horror at the atrocities committed against the Christian community in Orissa and neighbouring states and the failure of the Indian authorities to take timely and effective action end these gross human rights abuses.
• Ask for assurance that immediate and effective measures will be taken to end the attacks and to bring to justice those responsible for the reported murders, rapes and arson of homes, shops, schools, orphanages and churches.
• Express deep concern at reports that local police have ignored some of the crimes being committed and have failed to carry out investigations into the crimes when the victims are Christians.
• Ask specifically about what steps have been taken to investigate the murders of Pastor Akbar Digal, Pastor Samuel Nayak of Bakingia, Kandhamal, Pastor Matthew Naik from Kanbagiri, seven month pregnant Kamalini Naik and her one year old son from Kandhamal district and Pastor Gopana Naik from Badimunda and to bring those responsible to justice.
• Ask what investigation has been conducted into the attack on four nuns of the Missionaries of Charity who were travelling on a train from Raipur to Indore on 5 September that resulted in the nuns being severe injuried.
• Ask what investigation is being conducted into the murder of a young woman, Rajni Majh, who was burned to death by a mob on 25 August at the orphanage where she worked.
• Ask that the Indian authorities take immediate and effective action to provide all necessary support to people who have been forced to flee their homes to ensure their health and well-being and to provide them with adequate compensation to rebuild their homes.
• Ask that relief agencies and Indian churches be allowed free access to provide humanitarian relief to those who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the persecution they have been subjected to.

Update

[ Home ]

Christians face persecution for living out their faith in theocracies (religious rather than democratic rule), military and communist dictatorships and democracies around the world. Here are some examples:

• Catholic priests, nuns and brothers imprisoned in the USA for peacefully protesting against the US Administration providing training to members of the armed forces in the use of torture;

• Christians facing the death penalty on charges of blasphemy brought by Islamic extremists in Pakistan;

• Christians imprisoned in Vietnam for speaking out against human rights abuses by the communist regime;

• Christians in China imprisoned and tortured for worshipping together without the approval of the communist regime;

• Christians murdered by members of the army in Sri Lanka for standing up for human rights in the civil war in that country;

• Evangelical Christians imprisoned for their faith in the African country of Eritrea; and,

• members and ministers of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines murdered and made to ‘disappear’ or arbitrarily imprisoned by the police and army for speaking out on behalf of those in poverty or for opposing corruption.

The persecution of Christians often takes place in a context of wider religious persecution. For example, both Christians and Muslims face persecution under blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Christians, Fulan Gong members and Muslims are persecuted in China. While parts of the Indonesian military have been responsible for the murders of Christians in East Timor, West Papua and the Maluku Islands, they have also been responsible for the murder and torture of Muslims in Aceh.

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The Victorian TAFE Association has provided numerous case studies to highlight the practical implications of these suggested changes:

Doris, a Koori elder, has been preparing to enter the workforce initially completing a Certificate I in General Education for Adults, Certificate II in Learning Pathways for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Certificate II in General Education for Adults. Doris feels confident to tackle more mainstream training and has approached a local TAFE provider to enrol in the Certificate II in Business. Doris is ineligible to receive subsidised training because she already holds Certificate II level qualifications.

Kristy is 26 living in Horsham. She completed her VCE in 2006 and then undertook a Certificate IV Fitness at a local Registered Training Organisation (RTO – a provider of Vocational Education & Training). Employment opportunities in the fitness industry are limited in Horsham but Kristy does not wish to leave this regional community. She notices frequent advertisements for vacancies in nursing and also spots an advertisement for Cert IV Nursing at the local TAFE provider. Kristy wishes to make a career change. Kristy would not be eligible for subsidised funding for this course despite the fact that there are skills shortages locally.

TAFE providers deliver VET to people incarcerated in Victorian prisons. Typically prison inmates undertake VET specifically related to employability skills and linked to prison industries. Adopting eligibility criteria that only allows subsidised training to be allocated for the delivery of higher qualifications could see some members of Victoria’s prisoner ineligible for government funded training.

Introducing higher fees could dissuade disadvantaged people like Indigenous Victorians and those from remote country areas, even when payment of fees is deferred. The Victorian Government ultimately needs to prove that a deferred payment system will benefit poorer Victorians. Even though we are concerned about a possible negative impact of ‘HECS in TAFE’, if a deferred payment system is introduced we suggest that materials fees and compulsory non academic fees for student services be included (material fees are covered in course fees in South Australia).

Irrespective of the outcome of the government’s review, existing concessions for disadvantaged groups that reduce the cost of education must remain. TAFE Directors should continue to be able to use their discretion to waive fees. It appears likely that some concessions will be maintained and potentially expanded upon. However, community concern needs to be expressed so this happens.

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• Josh, a 22 year old Australian citizen, left school in year 10 and has been engaged in part time unskilled work for the past five years. He realises that the jobs open to him are limited and he needs to build his skills. Josh wants to return to full time study doing intermediate VCAL including a Certificate II in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations). Josh would not be entitled to subsidised funding for his TAFE course because VCAL is not a post-school qualification.
• Mario (32) completed a Diploma in Engineering and has been working for 12 years in engineering related occupations. Mario has recently been retrenched and wishes to retrain. He is looking at either pursuing a paraprofessional career in polymer technology or biotechnology. Mario will not be able to enrol in the Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations because he does not have the Diploma and relevant work experience. Mario is ineligible for subsidised training to enrol in the Diploma of Laboratory Operations because he already holds a Diploma of Engineering. He decides not to pursue this option. Mario is interested in the Advanced Diploma of Polymer Technology. This qualification is available as an approved training scheme for an apprenticeship. He finds that with his existing work experience, access to this qualification would be through the Diploma of Polymer Technology. But Mario cannot enrol in the Diploma of Polymer Technology because he does not hold a Certificate IV in Polymer Technology nor can he demonstrate equivalent skills. Mario is not eligible for subsidised training because he already holds a Diploma of Engineering. In frustration Mario takes a job driving a truck in WA.
• Tran holds a bachelor degree in nursing, and a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing. He is still paying off substantial HECS debts. His career path now finds him working with a community mental health service. Tran needs employment skills to assess co-morbidity and develop care plans. Tran approaches a local TAFE provider to enrol in the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs only to find he is ineligible for subsidised training because he holds a post graduate degree qualification. Tran is not willing to incur further fee debts and his employer is not in a position to pay $10,000 for the qualification.

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• Eligibility – students with a higher level qualification who want to undertake a qualification at a lower or equal level may be unable to qualify for support (i.e. a Government subsidised training place). This may limit the number of students able to undertake a dual qualification (e.g. a double Diploma in Business and Hospitality). These restrictions will also hinder those wanting to change careers as well as people returning to study in a different discipline.
• Entitlement - ‘student vouchers’ may be introduced whereby students have a learning entitlement which they can use to ‘shop around’ the training system (according to the Australian Education Union (AEU) the previous Commonwealth Government’s ‘literacy voucher program’ was similar to this idea and it failed).
• Higher Fees - introducing a higher fee structure will suppress demand in the short term and deter students from undertaking vocational and further education (particularly at the Diploma and Advanced Diploma level). The notion that people ‘pay for what they value’ is deeply flawed. After all, many students undertake TAFE course because they simply cannot afford the debts incurred by university fees.
• Student loans - this will only create another financial barrier for students wanting to enter vocational and further education. They will be left with a debt upon entering the workforce (the AEU is particularly concerned about students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those in drought-affected regions being able to manage debt upon completion of tertiary education).
• Contestability - training providers will be less likely to collaborate to improve educational standards. Instead, more education providers will be motivated by profit. Training providers will generate business by offering more cheaply run courses to students and thus may have an incentive to deliver less training hours. This will probably not combat the skills shortages in Victoria or meet community needs.

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Changing a career path is a normal part of life. The Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) refers to research undertaken by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte’s study highlighted that Generation Y people are expected to change careers five times during their lifetime.

Introducing a new fee structure should not inhibit people from contemplating other career options. Because someone has completed a Certificate IV in fitness should not mean they have to incur higher fees to undertake a Certificate IV in nursing.

Competition between institutions

Since the period in office of the former Coalition Government in Victoria, the training system has introduced greater competition between institutions. This competition has failed to combat the skills shortage in Victoria.

Uniting Church members have alerted the Justice & International Mission Unit to instances in which for-profit training providers do not provide a full range of services to students.

The Miners Council of Australia (MCA) observed in their own submission to the Victorian Government:

The MCA does not support the introduction of a voucher or ‘training entitlement’     system managed by individuals in light of past experience of such systems which     have been seen to encourage unscrupulous providers to ‘cherry pick’ low cost     courses and take advantage of     unsuspecting individuals. … It is important to ensure     that competition in the VET [Vocational Education & Training] sector is not at the     expense of quality of program provision resulting in a ‘race to the bottom’, which is a     likely outcome of an individual voucher system.

Hearing from students

For too long, Victorian TAFE students appear to have been largely absent from discussions about the TAFE sector. This is a shame because these students can provide the most accurate account of what it is like to experience the TAFE sector currently.

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Have a question, comment, suggestion or just a funny tale? Email us at JustAct.

JustAct Team

Tess Keam and Antony McMullen work for the Justice and International Mission (JIM) of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of VIC/TAS. As well as coordinating JustAct, they both work on a number of social justice issues, from industrial relations and social welfare, to asylum seekers and indigenous rights.

There is a lot of information on the web from across the globe about a huge range of social justice issues. Here are some great sites we recommend you check out if you want to know any more about a particular issue.

Having trouble finding the information you are looking for? We might be able to help so Contact Us

JustAct MySpace

Also JustAct has a Facebook page …

JustAct photos on Flickr

When you need some personal help

General

Churches of Christ Social Justice Blog

Good Shepherd Social Justice Network

Justice and International Mission - Uniting Church in Australia (Synod of Victoria and Tasmania)

JustSalvos

Office for Justice and Peace of the Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese

MorePraxis

National Council of Churches in Australia - Social Justice Network

People in Mission

Tasmanian Catholic Justice and Peace Commission

TEAR

Urban Seed

UnitingJustice

Victorian Council of Churches

Australian Poverty

Anti-Poverty Week

Australian Council of Social Service

Brotherhood of St. Laurence

Hobart Community Legal Service (information + advocacy on social security)

UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania (UCV&T)

Welfare Rights Unit (Victoria)

Asylum Seeker & Refugee issues

Asylum Seeker Project, Hotham Mission

Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre

Refugee Council of Australia

Right to Work Campaign

Education

ACUMA (campus services)

National Union of Students

Our TAFEs Matter (National Tertiary Education Union and Australian Education Union)

RMIT Student Union

TAFE Directors Australia

Theological Student’s Association (United Faculty of Theology)

Universities Australia

Victorian TAFE Association

VISTA (Association of Vocational, Education and Training Professionals)

Environmental Issues

Australian Youth Climate Coalition

Climate Action Network Australia

Ethical shopping

No Sweat Shop label

Find Fairtrade certified products

Rise Up

New Internationalist

Oxfam Trading

People for Fair Trade

Fair Trade

Become a fair trade community! (faith, tertiary institution, workplace etc.)

Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network

Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand

Fair Trade Organisations (IFAT)

Fairtrade Cotton

Fairtrade labelling

FairWear

Global Poverty

Micah Challenge

Human Rights / Persecution of Christians

Australian Centre for Human Rights Education (ACHRE)

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)

Human Rights Watch

Tears of the Oppressed

Indigenous

Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Australia

Reconciliation Australia

ANTAR

Close the Gap Coalition

Oxfam-Close the Gap

Peace and Disarmament

Australian Network to Ban Landmines

Cluster Munitions Coalition

E-MINE - Electronic Mine Information Network

International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Lost Sock Appeal

Unethical Marketing

Baby Milk Action

International Baby Food Action Network

Work Justice

Commonwealth Government information for young workers

Clean Clothes Campaign

Clean Start - fair deal for cleaners

FairWear Australia

ILO - Child Labour

Job Watch

Union Solidarity

Unions Tasmania

Victorian Young Unionists Network

Join a Union

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Copy the code below and paste it onto your website, myspace or blog and help spread the word about JustAct.

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Every month JustAct focuses on a different social issue ranging from ones with local significance to national and international issues.

A number of the campaigns mentioned in the actions below continue long after the month we focus on them. This means you can continue to take action on many of them.

Note: Below are previous month’s actions. All information was correct at the time of publication. Please contact us if you would like to be updated on any particular issue and we will be more than happy to send you up-to-date information and ways to continue taking action on the issue.

You can have a desire to start making a difference in the world and transforming situations of injustice but it can often be hard to find out where you start. Below is basic information to help do just that - to become on advocate on an issue.

1. Who & What is an MP?
2. How can my MP help?
3. How do I know who my MP is?
4. Writing to your MP
5. Organise a meeting with your MP
6. Adding your Voice through the Media in Writing
7. Having your Say in the Media on Talkback Radio
8. Details of Talkback Radio Stations and Programs (Melbourne-based)

1. Who & What is an MP?

MP stands for Member of Parliament. Australia elects both a State and a Federal government. Some laws are administered by the State and some are administered by the Federal government.You will have both a state Member of Parliament and a Federal Member of Parliament represented in your suburb. Under the Federal system there are also Senators elected to represent the whole state. In Victoria there are also members of an upper house of the State Parliament that will represent your local area.Some of the issues you will act upon through JustAct will target State MP’s and some will target Federal MP’s and Senators depending on which level of government has the power to create or influence change.

2. How can my MP help?

MPs and Senators are our elected representatives; that means we have the right to inform them of our views and encourage them to support the issues we care about. Even if you are under 18 you are a future voter and your views matter.People who have been involved in politics tell us that if an MP receives enough correspondence on an issue from people in their electorate they are compelled to act in some way. Writing or visiting an MP helps them know you are concerned about an issue and can encourage them to act.

3. How do I know who my MP is?

To find out who your Federal MP is go to the Australian Electoral Commission website. You can type in your postcode if you do not know the name of the electorate you live in.

The Australian Electoral Commission will tell you who your representative is and then to find their contact details you can then visit the Parliamentary Website and look up your members details. To find out who your State MPs are (Upper and Lower houses) go to the Parliament of Victoria website and type in your address or visit the Parliament of Tasmania website.

4. Writing to Your MP

Why would I need to write to an MP?

MPs themselves tell us that if they receive enough correspondence on an issue from people in their electorate they are compelled to act in some way. Writing or visiting an MP helps them know you are concerned about an issue and can encourage them to act. It can also educate them! There are so many issues that people are concerned with and it is hard to stay up-to-date with all of them. So visiting or writing to your MP can help keep them informed.
Writing to your MP

When writing to an MP you do not need to be an expert nor do you need to write a very long letter. State your concerns clearly and ask your MP to respond to your letter.Decide what you wish to say. Think of a few key messages that are accurate. If we provide a letter writing action for JustAct we will provide a few hints for what you might like to say. Use these in your own words. When putting a letter together use your personal experience as much as possible. If you have time a handwritten letter is great as it shows you have taken the initiative and not just copied a form letter. However, if you don’t have time to handwrite a typed letter is still effective. Remember to try to use your own words.
Email and Faxes

Email and fax is a good way to also communicate with your MP when you wish to convey a short message. An example may be to congratulate an MP on their public actions or comments. Alternatively you may wish to send a short email to express your disappointment at an MP’s actions or comments. It is really helpful to acknowledge positive action when it occurs so don’t be shy about congratulating your MP on something you believe is good!! MP’s need to hear feedback from those they represent, which means you!

5. Organise a Meeting with Your MP

Making an appointment

Ring or call by and ask for an appointment. You will usually be asked what it’s about. Ask how long the appointment is for. Some MP’s may request that you put your issues in writing first before an appointment is made. This generally gives them a chance to brief themselves on the issue before you visit. If an MP insists on a letter first, make sure you follow up the electorate office within 2 weeks of sending your letter to secure an appointment.Call the MP’s local electorate office - as far ahead as possible, do not expect to get an appointment within days. You may even have to wait a couple of months so planning ahead is helpful. When you make the appointment let the electorate office know how many people will be coming, their names and any organisations represented. Ask how much time will be allowed, but plan how to end your presentation if your time is cut short. On the day of the meeting, call before the appointment to confirm it.You don’t have to go alone - Take someone else with you, or even a group of 2 or 3 people. Or contact us at JustAct and we will see if we can join you or help you find someone else to.

In the meeting

A group of 3 or 4 works well: one to introduce your group and outline why you’ve come, one or two to speak to aspects of your cause, another to take notes. Swap roles during the meeting. Have a rehearsal and make notes of what you want to present.
Ask questions if you need to. Make it clear that you can come back on another occasion if your MP does not have an answer immediately. If you are asked a question which you cannot answer, say you don’t know and arrange to get back to them with the answer.Always ask the MP if they can follow up on your issue either by raising your concern with the relevant Minister or by asking about some other supportive involvement. Options could include writing a letter raising your concerns to the relevant Minister, asking a question in Parliament, raising the issue at a party meeting, talking to fellow MP’s, or tabling a petition.Before you leave the meeting, establish what will happen next and when.

Follow up

Write or ring to say thanks and to confirm future contact or action. If you have agreed to provide follow up information ensure that you do so within a couple of weeks. Check in with the group that meet with the MP and assess what went well and what didn’t. Create strategies for future contact.

Keep in Mind

You may hold a different or opposite view from your MP. If you have opposing views, an argument is usually not the best way to go. Alternative and better approaches are to ask for reasons why their view is held or come back with evidence supporting your case. If your views are the same, ask how you can help him/her to be effective. Think about how to make the meeting productive for both sides.

Media

A meeting with an MP is a good subject for a note in a newsletter or a letter in the local newspaper. However, it is a good idea to let the MP know that such a note or letter to the editor is planned. It may be also wise to check with the MP regarding what you say about the meeting so the MP is not misrepresented. When you write make sure you name the relevant MP and if possible the Minister who holds the portfolio relevant to the issues you are raising. This way your letter or article will be noticed by your MP.

If an MP consistently refuses to meet with you it may also be a good subject for your local press.

The thought of visiting you MP might be intimidating but remember they are representing their electorate, which means you!

6. Adding your voice through the media in writing

Write to your local, state or national paper can be a great way to raise an issue. It doesn’t have to be long and your opinion as a young person counts!The good thing about writing to the media is that you will be not only educating your community but also letting your local MP know that there are people who care about this issue in their community. You can write a letter/email to the editor or write or ring the paper and suggest they write an article on a particular issue (especially your local paper who are often looking for stories!!). Have a look in your local or state paper to get an idea of what a Letter to the Editor is and how long they usually are. Remember the larger newspapers around Australia have great websites of daily news to keep you up-to-date.

Tips for writing a letter

First and most important decide what you wish to say. Think of a few key messages that are concise and must be factually accurate. Don’t be afraid to call up someone working in a campaign on the issue you are concerned about to check your facts with them. For organisations working on different issues go to JustLinks.

• Include any personal experience you have. Letters are more likely to be published if they contain personal knowledge or experience.
• Keep your letter brief especially if it is a letter to the Editor. Many newspapers receive hundreds of letters a day, so you will have more chance to get published if you keep your letter short.
• Try to keep it simple whilst getting your message across. You don’t need to have a large vocabulary to make your point passionately.
• If you have time ring (or visit) your local MP’s office and ask them what their view is on the issue you are writing on. You can refer to the MP in your letter noting their support or lack of it.
• Send a positive message if it is deserved. If your local MP has responded positively to your visit or letter then write the paper and let them know. Whilst much of the time we will be calling for change, positive letters are good too as we all should hear about and celebrate the good changes that are made!
• Remember to be polite, your letter is unlikely to be published if it is offensive.Include your contact with the letter in case the newspaper wishes to follow up with you.
• Don’t be discouraged if your letter is not printed. Keep trying until you are successful or enlist others to help you!

7. Having Your Say in the Media on Talkback Radio

Talkback radio can be an important tool for getting your message across.You can ring, email or SMS what you want to say (contact details are below)!Talkback is an equivalent to letters to the editor page and is a cheap and easy way to promote issues. There are some simple tips for ringing in to talkback that can make it a fun experience rather than a daunting one.

Preparing to ring

You are a person in the community with experience and an opinion!! Don’t feel as though you have to be an expert to have a voice and use it.Try not to use a mobile phone. Fixed phone lines generally sound better over the radio.If the topic has already been raised on the radio use a pen and paper to write down any points you wish to make in response to the discussion.

How much should I say?

Use a few facts to get your point across. Choose 2 or 3 points, no more.Use your experience, if you have been involved in the issue or met someone who is affected by the issue you are talking about let the announcer know. Your own experience is credible but please also be at ease and be attentive to changing names and keeping names confidential if you are telling someone else’s story. Get straight to the point. If you have more than one point to make indicate this from the start. “Hi Virginia, I have two points to make. The first….”If you feel you are being pushed for information you don’t have say so. “That is not within my area of expertise so I don’t feel I can comment but I am able to talk with experience about …..” or “I’m not the right person to answer that but you could talk to …..Don’t be afraid to correct information “The information you have is incorrect. The actual situation in Victoria is…… or I know of a family/person who experiences…..”If the interviewer is pushing you off the topic don’t be afraid to draw it back. “That is an interesting point but I wish to comment further on ….”Don’t feel you have to wait for the topic to come on the radio. Use this opportunity to suggest that the radio program get someone on to talk further about the issue.

Last but not least make your points with confidence and passion (try not to get angry on the phone, wait until you’re off!).

8. Details of Talkback Radio Stations and Programs (Melbourne)

FM Radio

Triple J - 107.5 FM
Use the web link/email form to suggest they run a story on an issue
Call 1300 0555 36 to contact programs during talkback or Super Request (6pm-9pm AEST) or text/SMS 1975 7 555

AM Radio

3AW
Talkback line (03) 9696 1278
contact@3aw.com.au

Neil Mitchell 8:30am to midday. Email nmitchell@3aw.com.au
Ernie Sigley 12noon - 4pm
Derryn Hinch Drive 4pm - 6pm Email : hinch@hinch.net
Keith McGowan 12am - 5:30am

774 ABC
Talkback line (03) 9414 1774
Use the online email form
Red Symons 5:30am - 8am Talkback
Jon Faine 8:30am - midday Talkback SMS 19 774 774
Richard Stubbs 1pm - 3pm
Lindy Burns Drive 3pm - 6pm 1300 222 774 or SMS 19 774 774.
Tony Delroy 10pm-2am
The Sunday show with Jane Clifton 10am - 12 noon

3CR 855 AM
Talkback (03) 9419 0155
Email currentaffairs@3cr.org.au

If you ever want any more information or have any questions contact us and we will be happy to help out so contact us. All the best in your campaigning!

JustAct is an initiative of Justice and International Mission (JIM), a unit of the Uniting Church in Australia (Vic/Tas Synod).
For more info about other JIM projects visit our site.

JustAct offers information and ways to work towards transforming situations of injustice in our local communities, across our country and throughout the world. It is easy to feel that your voice is not enough, but the more we speak out together the louder that voice is. Be a part of creating change, no matter how big or small your contribution is, every voice counts!

Find your voice
Have a say
Act with Justice in Mind

How it all works

Join the network (at the top of the page) to receive a monthly alert letting you know a new opportunity to make a difference is on this site and ready for you to take action. Each month we focus on a different social injustice and offer ways to take action.

Membership is free and all are invited to join.

The team at JustAct are also running a number of workshops and events around Melbourne. Join the network to also be the first to hear about them!

To find out more about the JustAct team or to contact us follow here.

Last September 11, the third Branch of Court Appeals chaired by Justice Martin Villarama ordered a temporary restraining order barring Bacoor Regional Trial Court to proceed with the trumped up murder charge against Pastor Berlin and likewise ordered his temporary release in the custody of his counsels. Yesterday, September 25, the CA so ordered to lift and/or recall the warrant of arrests and Alias warrants of arrest and directed the lower court to quash the informations therein and dismiss the criminal case of murder against Pastor Berlin.

Indeed this is a triumph of justice against repression, of truth against lies.

Thanks to all who helped by sending an email - activism works!

Students stripping to pay university and living costs
Aleks Devic
June 22nd, 2009

Source: Geelong Advertiser

GEELONG university students are working as strippers in a daily battle of survival, while others finding themselves at the mercy of rogue employers. Desperation for a job to help pay for living expenses and university fees are forcing young workers into vulnerable situations, unions said.

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Geelong strip club AlleyCat Men’s Club general manager Geoffrey Vincent said the venue had about 10 strippers who were studying at university with subjects including nursing and journalism.
He said, since the economic down turn, there were more women applying to become strippers and denied it was a degrading job.
“They earn a lot of money in a short amount of time allowing them to dedicate themselves to their studies,” Mr Vincent said.
“They earn a lot more than an average wage.”
Deakin University Student Association president Cayla Edwards said it was not uncommon for students employed in various industries to work more than 30 hours a week.
And many had to work late at night to prevent interfering their studies.
“It’s really unfortunate that, out of desperation, students take cash-in-hand jobs and receive pay at the lower end and give up their rights like work cover,” Ms Edwards said.
“Many say ‘it won’t happen to me’ but, as we know, things do happen.
“I put it back on employers to be responsible when employing students.”

Workplace Ombudsman executive director Michael Campbell said there were more than 459,000 international students enrolled in Australia and many were unaware of their workplace rights and the laws that protect them.
“That makes them vulnerable to exploitation and unwittingly accepting poor employment conditions so they can pocket a few extra dollars to pay their rent or meet daily living expenses,” Mr Campbell said.
Fast food and retail union UNITE secretary Anthony Main said international students were faced with “institutionalised discrimination”.
“They go to work and don’t get paid properly and at home they get ripped off by their landlord,” Mr Main said.

UNITE put the spotlight on 7-Eleven stores across Victoria after being informed the convenience store was underpaying staff.
The Workplace Ombudsman is investigating the claims and 7-Eleven refused to discuss the allegations.
Mr Main described the situation of young workers being exploited as “totally extreme”.
“Bullying is a big problem for young workers,” he said.
“Thirty-five years ago it was women who were not being treated equally and now it’s our young workers.
“7-Eleven is not an isolated place. The same things happen in other businesses where young workers get ripped off and pushed around.
“They are less inclined to speak up because they want to keep their jobs.”

Workplace Ombudsman statistics reveal 41 per cent of employers across Australia were underpaying staff aged between 15 and 24-years. Victorian bosses were the worst offenders and were ordered to back pay $204,487 to young workers.