Study highlights importance of promoting diversity
18 June 2009
The study on workplace discrimination just released by the Australian National University has highlighted the need for employers to be aware of the importance of workplace diversity, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.
‘Studies such as this highlight the extent of the issues facing Australians from diverse backgrounds,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘It is of concern that the study reports that job seekers with Chinese names are contacted only 21 per cent of the time while applicants with Anglo-Saxon names are contacted 35 per cent of the time.
‘These results also reinforce the direction that the Government is taking in continuing to fund initiatives under programs such as Diverse Australia and the National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security.
‘Projects such as the Queensland Muslim Employment Workers Pilot Project raise the awareness of Muslim Australian's employment needs and barriers.
‘The Australian Multicultural Foundation's Cultural Diversity Management Pilot Training Program is developing a training strategy for about 50 businesses and their staff.
‘We expect that this project will overcome both real and perceived barriers to implementing cultural diversity best practice in their workplaces.
‘Particularly in this current climate, reinforcing the economic and social advantages of diversity in the workplace is critical and I encourage all workplaces to recognise the benefits of a multicultural Australia.’
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09034.htm
Last update: 18 June 2009 at 16:15 AEST