Indigenous Disadvantage in Employment: Australian Aborigines - Report Example

Running Head: Indigenous Disadvantage in Employment Indigenous Disadvantage in Employment: Australian Aborigines [Client’s Name] [Affiliation] Table of Contents Introduction ………………………………………………………… Extent of Disadvantage ………………………………………….. Historical Factors ………………………………………………… Generational Trauma …………………………………………….. Success Stories …………………………………………………… Conclusion ………………………………………………………… Introduction Today’s modern commercial society demands that individuals, regardless of race, cultural background, or religious belief must be given equal footing on employment opportunities where they qualify. Most, if not all of companies operating in a culturally diverse environment are promoting socio-cultural integration by opening their doors to competent people who qualify the hiring requirements, regardless of their social, cultural, racial, or religious background. Various countries have participated in this global-wide social program as well to promote cultural integration and to dispel or eliminate the undesirable effects of racism and discrimination particularly in the workplace. However, this effort does not seem to work in Australia where the level of unemployment of the Aborigines has remained very low compared to the unemployment rates of non-indigents. It appears as if racism and social discrimination still plays vital roles in the employment difficulties experienced by the Aborigines. Extent of Disadvantage While the efforts to eliminate discrimination and racism in the workplace are global, not all of these have been successful. Some countries still struggle with the social disparities in the workplace caused by history. One of these countries is Australia. Despite the modernity of the country, Australia is still unable to solve the widening gap of the social inequities experienced by indigents. This is particularly true in the statistical data for employment between non-indigenous and indigenous people. One easily notices the socio-economic disparity between Australian indigents and non-indigents. They do not participate in majority of the economic activities occurring in the region and very few programs were created to encourage their participation in the economy. As a result, majority of indigenous Australians live in abject poverty. The 2006 statistical data showed that only 55% of the indigenous population in Australia is actively participating in the workforce compared to the 65% workforce participation of the non-indigent population. When the age bracket for workforce participation is narrowly defined from 15-65 years old, only 54% of the indigenous population participates in the workforce compared to the 76% from the non-indigenous population. In the same year, the unemployment rate for the indigenous Australians is 16% (ABS, 2008). With 16% of a relatively small population unable to participate actively in Australia’s workforce, this figure translates to a large number of Aborigines that do not, or could not qualify to the employment requirement of the business. The most obvious evidence to this disadvantage in the workplace is the material poverty of the Aborigine families measured by various social indicators such as income, health, educational attainment, housing, and criminality. The average family gross income of indigenous Australians is $460 a week which is just 62% of what non-indigenous Australians family’s income per week ($740). Similarly, the median individual income for indigents is $278, 59% lower than the average individual income of non-indigenous people which is $473. Education is one of the key areas that are responsible for better economic conditions for indigenous Australians. Indigents who are in the workforce that are able to finish up to Year 12 of their education earn higher compared to the indigents of the same age bracket that did not finish this educational level. The statistical data for 2006 indicates that higher educational attainment translates to better income. Young indigenous people ages 18-24 that have completed Year 12 are more likely to get a full time employment compared to those indigents that have not completed this level (ABS, 2008). Historical Factors Generally speaking, the Aborigines were not the most preferred race for almost any available jobs save for those that require manual labor and low-skilled jobs (Behrendt & McCausland, 2008). Only a small fraction of the Aborigines are able to attain the educational level required in majority of the job openings. Because of their lack of skills and educational background, non-indigenous workforce is typically chosen over them. Apart from the fact that only a very small percentage of the Aborigines were educated, business owners and employers also contribute to this lack of employment opportunities. This interpretation is substantiated in a research conducted by Nicholas & Sammartino (2001). The researchers found out that majority of the Aborigines actively participating in the labor force belong to jobs requiring unskilled functions or jobs that require manual skills. (It appears as if these are the only type of jobs that the Aborigines can and where the employers perceive that they perform well). The research showed that businessmen are reluctant to hire Aborigines because of the perceived level of education, skills, and commitment towards the job as most of the businesses experience high absenteeism and low retention rates from Aboriginal employees. Furthermore, business owners and employers believe that Aborigines find it difficult to integrate themselves in the workplace and are also noted to have difficulties with their performance. For these reasons, employing indigents prove to be difficult because of the internal threats they pose to businesses and employers. The issues of lack of education and high absenteeism rates due to poor health and difficult social condition did not develop overnight. These are rooted on the dark history of racism and discrimination in Australia since the Colonial period. The social exclusion prevalent of Aborigines in Australia since the 18th century has contributed to the employment disadvantage experienced by the indigenous group among any other social disadvantages it has experienced in modern times (Mackean, 2009). Because of this social exclusion, the indigenous people were deprived of many of their social rights since the 18th century like access to education and healthcare, participation in the workforce, freedom of self-expression, and access to fair justice system. Because the indigents do not have access to education, they are unskilled and thus could not contribute to the workforce; because they do not have access to healthcare, they are sickly and has high absenteeism rates in the workplace; because they are excluded by the society, they experience difficulties in adjusting to the social norms, particularly in the workplace. Generational Trauma Australia is a country that has long tried to override its history of racism and discrimination (Hocking, 2006). Racism has been embedded deep in the hearts of Australians that it is very difficult for them to become tolerant of the presence, issues, and plights of other social groups, particularly the Aborigines. Although the Australian government has made efforts in undoing the social inequities directed to the Aborigines in the last few hundred years, it is very difficult to say that it is close to being successful with all the data and information highlighting the inability of any social efforts to bridge the gap left by history. In fact, statistics shows that despite the efforts exerted by the government to promote social equity and social justice, both the indigent and non-indigent societies are unsuccessful in their attempts to live as one, coherent, and progressive social entities. The discrimination experienced by the indigenous people of Australia for a long stretch of time instilled social confinement in the consciousness of the indigents (Hockings, 2006). For many years, the indigents have come to adjust to a life that is apart from the life lived by non-indigents. They have managed to survive using their own methods of adaptability, even going to the extreme measures of tilling unfertile soils to make both ends meet. They went along fine on their own social confinements. However, as the social systems became more complex than they can handle using their primitive ways, and as the need to become a part of a bigger social circle becomes apparent, their primal instinct to survive has been greatly suppressed (Day et al, 2008). In the many years since the formal abolition of the Australian Apartheid, a social system characterized by massive discrimination and racism aimed towards the indigents and were consented by the government, the indigenous people are still unable to see the social integration and social equities promised to them (Day et al, 2008). They still experience various forms of discrimination from all levels of the society which led to their inability to avail of social programs and social opportunities that would have aid in advancing their socio-economic interests (Behrendt & McCausland, 2008). The Australian society in general is still apathetic towards the progress and the development of the indigents. In most cases, the non-indigents do not consider the welfare of the indigents which greatly affects how the indigents survive in the increasingly becoming complex social systems. This inability to become successful in a free society is apparent from the statistics which implies that even though much is given to their welfare, the society in general is not yet ready to accept them as a part of a bigger community. Success Stories Nevertheless, the Australian government as well as other social agencies in Australia are undaunted by the lack of social acceptance and social success of the indigents. People, resources, and programs were mobilized to improve the statistics and provide opportunities for indigents to establish themselves in the current society. Various programs have been created to address socio-economic and socio-political issues that plague the indigent communities of Australia. These programs are classified into the following major categories: education, employment, health, politics, and justice system. Educating the indigents became the utmost priority for the government. As was mentioned, a higher level of education means a better employment opportunity. A better employment opportunity means a better economic standing for the indigenous people. Various programs have been instituted and implemented in order to provide the best possible education to the indigents that would make them become more competitive in the job market and without them having to lose their cultural identities (Behrendt & McCausland, 2008). The government in collaboration with various local businesses and employers are also seeking ways to use the skills and cultural profile of the indigents in their workforce by providing the indigenous people various skills training and development programs suited for them. Businesses are also encouraged to take indigenous people among its ranks (as a part of their diversity program) and develop them to become an integral part of their workforce. The concern on the access to healthcare is also being addressed by various agencies. Health missions are initiated and local health care centers were established in remote areas so that indigenous people can easily avail of the medical benefits of these programs. Medicines and medical services were given for free or for a minimum payment to indigenous people. Moreover, indigents were trained to become nurses and health care service providers so as to promote greater participation in the indigent communities (Mackean, 2009). With these programs, the government as well as other agencies are aiming for a greater social participation of the indigenous people as well as abolish the negative notion of the indigents towards the non-indigenous members of the society. Other social concerns of the indigenous people were also being addressed. Indigents are now represented in the political domains. They are also taking part in the decision making process of communities where they belong and their stakes were given weight in any decisions that are to be made. Although this representation is not yet widespread in Australia, the fact that the indigents are heard and represented in local ruling bodies indicates a brighter future for these people. Conclusion There is no doubt that the indigents are placed at a bigger disadvantage in employment compared to their non-indigent counterparts. Various factors were cited to account for this disadvantage like lack of social integration and social acceptance, lack of social programs that would increase their chances of establishing their economies, their lack of education which is also a result of lack of social acceptance, and a lot more. The truth is, not all non-indigenous people are willing to make them a part of the existing society. However, the government has exerted tremendous amount of effort to change the scenario by providing them virtually everything they want. Though not yet successful, it can be argued that it is only a matter of time before the social reforms initiated by the government and the concerned agencies will take effect as social mobilization has been initiated in all levels of the society. References Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2002). Australian Social Trends 2002, ABS cat. no. 4102.0. 83-85.Retrieved online http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features20Mar+2010 Australian Bureau of Statistic. (2008). Population Characteristics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 2006. 66. Retrieved online from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Llookup/BA98BF6DAFC8A83BCA257418000E4847?opendocument Behrendt, L. & McCausland, R. (2008). Welfare Payments and School Attendance: An Analysis of Experimental Policy in Indigenous Education. Sydney: University of Technology Sydney. Retrieved online from www.aeufederal.cor.au/Publications/2008/LBehrendtpaper.pdf Day, A., Davey, L. Wanganeen, R., Casey, S., Howells, K. & Nakata, M. (2008). Symptoms of Trauma, Perceptions of Discrimination and Anger: A Comparison between Australian Indigenous and non-Indigenous Prisoners. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 23(2). 245-258. Hocking, D. (2006). The Long Journey Home: A Reflection on the Journey of Healing. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues. 9(2-3): 93-102 Mackean, T. (2009). A Healed and Healthy Country: Understanding Healing for Indigenous Australians .Medical Journal of Australia. 109(10): 522-523 Nicholas, S. & Sammartino, A. (2001). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Australian Workforce: View of the CEOs. Australian Center for International Business. Read More

In the same year, the unemployment rate for the indigenous Australians is 16% (ABS, 2008). With 16% of a relatively small population unable to participate actively in Australia’s workforce, this figure translates to a large number of Aborigines that do not, or could not qualify to the employment requirement of the business. The most obvious evidence to this disadvantage in the workplace is the material poverty of the Aborigine families measured by various social indicators such as income, health, educational attainment, housing, and criminality.

The average family gross income of indigenous Australians is $460 a week which is just 62% of what non-indigenous Australians family’s income per week ($740). Similarly, the median individual income for indigents is $278, 59% lower than the average individual income of non-indigenous people which is $473. Education is one of the key areas that are responsible for better economic conditions for indigenous Australians. Indigents who are in the workforce that are able to finish up to Year 12 of their education earn higher compared to the indigents of the same age bracket that did not finish this educational level.

The statistical data for 2006 indicates that higher educational attainment translates to better income. Young indigenous people ages 18-24 that have completed Year 12 are more likely to get a full time employment compared to those indigents that have not completed this level (ABS, 2008). Historical Factors Generally speaking, the Aborigines were not the most preferred race for almost any available jobs save for those that require manual labor and low-skilled jobs (Behrendt & McCausland, 2008).

Only a small fraction of the Aborigines are able to attain the educational level required in majority of the job openings. Because of their lack of skills and educational background, non-indigenous workforce is typically chosen over them. Apart from the fact that only a very small percentage of the Aborigines were educated, business owners and employers also contribute to this lack of employment opportunities. This interpretation is substantiated in a research conducted by Nicholas & Sammartino (2001).

The researchers found out that majority of the Aborigines actively participating in the labor force belong to jobs requiring unskilled functions or jobs that require manual skills. (It appears as if these are the only type of jobs that the Aborigines can and where the employers perceive that they perform well). The research showed that businessmen are reluctant to hire Aborigines because of the perceived level of education, skills, and commitment towards the job as most of the businesses experience high absenteeism and low retention rates from Aboriginal employees.

Furthermore, business owners and employers believe that Aborigines find it difficult to integrate themselves in the workplace and are also noted to have difficulties with their performance. For these reasons, employing indigents prove to be difficult because of the internal threats they pose to businesses and employers. The issues of lack of education and high absenteeism rates due to poor health and difficult social condition did not develop overnight. These are rooted on the dark history of racism and discrimination in Australia since the Colonial period.

The social exclusion prevalent of Aborigines in Australia since the 18th century has contributed to the employment disadvantage experienced by the indigenous group among any other social disadvantages it has experienced in modern times (Mackean, 2009). Because of this social exclusion, the indigenous people were deprived of many of their social rights since the 18th century like access to education and healthcare, participation in the workforce, freedom of self-expression, and access to fair justice system.

Because the indigents do not have access to education, they are unskilled and thus could not contribute to the workforce; because they do not have access to healthcare, they are sickly and has high absenteeism rates in the workplace; because they are excluded by the society, they experience difficulties in adjusting to the social norms, particularly in the workplace.

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