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.
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.
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.
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.
Act NOW! – Our current action is about young people and work
Ask the Victorian Government for better workplace laws for young people More »
Anti-Poverty Week 2010 (17-23 October)
JustAct is once again getting behind Anti Poverty Week; it aims to:
Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia
Encourages research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.
Everyone who is interested in helping to reduce poverty and hardship here or overseas is encouraged to organise their own activities during the Anti-Poverty Week or join in some being organised by other people. Do you want to join in Anti-Poverty Week 2010? STEP ONE: Click here to send Anti-Poverty Week your contact details and/or to tell them what you are thinking of doing. STEP TWO: If you decide to organise an activity, click here to give Anti-Poverty Week all the details for the Calendar of Activities.
The Justice and International Mission Unit (JIM) have been talking about the need for employers of children, like the fast food chains, should take more responsibility. JIM have also been in contact with the Tasmanian and Federal Governments about the need for law reform in this area. Along with the Tasmanian Government, JustAct is happy to see that Hungry Jack’s in Tassie might have a rap over the knuckles in this area and that the Fair Work Ombudsman is doing its job. It is alleged that the fast food chain has underpaid its workers.
Springvale Uniting Church is working with the LHMU, as part of their Service Stars program. Congregants with a Sudanese background, and others at the church, are attending training (with the guarantee of work at the end of the program!).
Mentors are urgently needed. Training is provided for mentors.
Come along to The Order of Melbourne* on Friday 7 May for a night of awesome live music and support the STOP THE TRAFFIK campaign against human trafficking and slavery.
Some of Melbourne’s best musical talent – Vox Congo, The Tealeaves, Adam Cousens and Frankie Wants Out – are combining musical forces to raise some noise, awareness and funds, and all for an excellent cause. There will also be raffle prizes, stalls and even our very own STOP THE TRAFFIK cocktails on the menu.
The night will kick off at 8.00pm with the infectious African rhythms of Vox Congo, which are sure to have you up and dancing.
Tickets are only $8 pre sale or $10 on the door. All proceeds go towards the STOP THE TRAFFIK campaign.
Ethical brands take the lead at Australian Fashion Week
Lisa Ho and Ginger Smart, the two fashion brands whose runway shows will open proceedings at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, have successfully completed the accreditation process that allows brands to display the Ethical Clothing Australia label on their Australian-made garments. They join a growing list of leading Australian fashion brands, such as Collette Dinnigan, Jets, Cue and Veronika Maine, who are eligible to display the Ethical Clothing Australia label on their Australian-made garments. Read more
It’s great when another company joins the ethical clothing movement.
LMB Knitwear are now accredited to Ethical Clothing Australia. The business has a manufacturing arm through LMB Knitwear, and a house brand, Otto & Spike. The business has been operating for 40 years, in East Brunswick, Victoria, the former hub for textile and clothing manufacturing. LMB Knitwear is now the only local manufacturer of woolen and acrylic knitted beanies. In addition to manufacturing for numerous large brands, LMB have developed their own knitwear accessories label, Otto & Spike, which is stocked in a range of local boutiques. All manufacturing is completed in-house, with some screen-printing occasionally done elsewhere.
Join the campaign to advocate for garment outworker rights in Victoria and Australia, with support for international garment worker campaigns. FairWear Victoria is focusing on new campaigns to address outworkers’ pay and conditions in the 2010s.
Unions, community groups and individuals are most welcome to come along.
When: 5.30pm Wednesday 24 March 2010
Where: The Order of Melbourne, Level 2, 401 Swanston Street, city.
(between Little LaTrobe & A’Beckett Sts, opposite RMIT. The venue is on the second floor (no wheel chair access!)
More information: Mark Riley, FairWear Campaign & Education Officer ph. 03 9251 5270 (Tues. –Thur.)
Killed – 21 employees of a garment factory in Bangladesh
Following a horrific factory fire that killed 21 employees of a garment factory in Bangladesh, the factory workers are demanding swift reforms, a criminal investigation and compensation for the victims. Support these workers’ demands by writing to the Government of Bangladesh and international fashion brands sourcing from this factory.
Picture – Clean Clothes Campaign
On Thursday, February 25, 2010, twenty-one workers died and another 50 were injured when the Garib & Garib Sweater Factory in Gazipur, Bangladesh, caught fire for the second time in six months.
Please join us today in calling upon the brands, the employer and the government of Bangladesh to take immediate action to ensure justice for the victims, and to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the future.
Please take a few short minutes to join these letter-writing campaigns now!
TASMANIAN hair and beauty staff have received thousands of dollars after an inquiry found they were being ripped off in an industry which employs large numbers of young females and a significant number of apprentices.
Jim Keady is the founder and captain of Team Sweat. Jim was born and raised at the Jersey Shore. He attended St. Rose Grammar School and then Christian Brothers Academy where he was a two-sport varsity athlete. Jim began to research Nike’s labour practices in light of his faith.
JustEmployment is for people who have an interest in decent working conditions and support for people at work (or for those who are looking for work).
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