Australia – Emigrant workers' rights booklet launched by Sinn Féin and unions

» Mark Moloney

'Know Your Rights at Work Down Under' provides contact details for Australian trade unions and information on tax and health and safety

THE 'Know Your Rights at Work Down Under' booklet was launched by Pearse Doherty TD and Senator Kathryn Reilly of Sinn Féin with the youth wings of the Mandate trade union and the Communications Workers' Union at the Passport Office in Dublin on Tuesday.

The joint initiative is aimed at informing young Irish people in or going to Australia about workers' rights for those on temporary visas.

The 'Know Your Rights at Work Down Under' document also has the support of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Claddagh Association Perth as well as Irish unions Mandate, TEEU, IBOA and Unite. 

David Gibney, Chairperson of Mandate Youth who spent two years in Australia on a temporary working visa told reporters that many Irish workers are exploited because their visa is tied to their employer:

"Withdrawal of their contract can often mean having a number of weeks to either find alternative sponsorship or to exit the country. 

"With the current economic environment in Ireland, including an exceptionally high youth unemployment rate, many young workers are afraid to ‘rock the boat’."

Pearse Doherty TD, who visited Australia in August 2012 to meet with trade union and Irish groups, said:

"The document lays out simply what a young person can expect in Australia when working. It provides contact details for Australian trade unions and information on tax and health and safety. The document will be distributed here in Ireland to young people intending to travel to work in Australian and among the Irish community in Australia."

Sinn Féin Youth Affairs Spokesperson Kathryn Reilly urged friends and family of those working in Australia to share the document widely.

Read or download a copy of the document HERE