Media Release: Outrage at international student wage theft

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is outraged at the ongoing problem of wage theft among our international students. CAPA is calling on the Employment Minister Michaelia Cash and Education Minister Simon Birmingham to urgently address this issue.

CAPA is dismayed, yet not surprised at the outcome of the ‘Wage Theft in Australia’ report, knowing that international students have been taken advantage of constantly in the work place. With one quarter of international students being paid $12 per hour or less, and others being forced to pay money back to their employers after getting the minimum wage, it is clear this epidemic needs to be addressed now.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has recently been campaigning to ensure students know their rights to be treated and paid fairly at work, but clearly this is not sufficient to change the culture of wage theft and student exploitation. There is a myth that international students are wealthy, however, as the report clearly indicates, a shocking amount of international students face difficult and exploitative circumstances while attending Australian universities.

Today, CAPA put the call out looking for international students that have faced underpayment but almost all of them were afraid to speak up or name their workplace for fear that their visa would not be renewed.
It is time for the Federal Government to get back to work and start addressing these issues.

CAPA National President Peter Derbyshire says:  

“It seems if you are a domestic student and getting your penalty rates cut or an international student and having your wages stolen the Federal Government clearly doesn’t care about workers”

“While the Turnbull Government takes a week off there are workers out there being ripped off. How about showing up and dealing with these issues”

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For Comment: 
CAPA National President Peter Derbyshire
M: 0435 047 817
E: president@capa.edu.au

 

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The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is happy to see that majority of Australians are fair people and believe in equality for all. The yes result from the same sex marriage survey shows what the polling has suggested all along. It shows that it is past time that the LGBTIQA+ community had equal rights to marry.

Now that the Turnbull government has the result of their $120 million postal vote, the Turnbull government must fulfil its promises of the delivery of a marriage equality bill that is fair and reflects the desire of the Australian people. With all the leaders of the major parties in favour of marriage equality, there is no reason why parliament cannot push for a marriage equality bill.

Marriage is just one of the many discriminations that face LGBTQIA+ community. Same sex marriage may become legal in Australia still has further to go. Many people in our community still face an incredible amount of discrimination in their day to day lives. It is important we still fight for the rights for people in the LGBTQIA+ community. The attack on Safe Schools and Transgender people have been so evident within the marriage equality debate, it is important that we affirm the rights and safety of trans people and young LGBTQIA+ people.

The Australian people have spoken. It was a survey the LGBTQIA+ community did not want but has survived, and the Australian people have spoken. It is time our elected representatives remember what they are there for and that is to represent the people. Not just themselves, not just people that think like them and not just their cycling mates. Our elected representative need to remember there is an election right around the corner and if you go against the voice of the people it will be remembered at the next election.

CAPA will continue to fight for same sex marriage and for the equal rights of all LGBTQIA+ people.

CAPA National President Peter Derbyshire says:

“Same sex marriage should have been legalised years ago and this process has been a farce from start to finish. It is time to get on with it.”

CAPA Vice-President Equity Vibol Hy says:

“The Australian public voted on whether to change the law to allow Same Sex Marriage they did not vote for changes to the marriage act that furthers more discrimination to the LGBTIQA+ community.”

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For Comment
CAPA National President Peter Derbyshire
M: 0435 047 817
E: president@capa.edu.au
 

 

It has been three months since the release of the sexual harassment and sexual assault survey undertaken by Universities Australia. Responding to this survey the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) released a set of 19 recommendations aimed at countering this sector wide problem.

The campaign to stop sexual assault and harassment at Australian universities is an ongoing one, and, after three months, it is now time to evaluate the sectors progress so far. CAPA will now be contacting vice-chancellors across the country to establish which of the recommendations from CAPA and Universities Australia have been implemented.

An essential recommendation was the inclusion of students in the development of sexual assault and sexual harassment policy. This will be a key focus in our survey, where, we will also be asking student leaders about their engagement in policy development at universities.

A number of universities and organisations have responded positively to the recommendation presented by CAPA and we are looking for further compliance. These recommendations included such initiatives like the development of community standards and educational programs for students.

Tackling this issue is a challenge for everyone involved but a systematic approach needs to be maintained as well as continued, national monitoring of progress.

CAPA Women’s Officer Alyssa Shaw says:
“The results of the survey was the beginning to addressing this issue but it is essential that an ongoing effort is maintained.”

CAPA National President Peter Derbyshire says:
“The task ahead of the entire sector is a big one but CAPA is committed to continue working with universities until everyone can feel safe on campus.”

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For Comment

CAPA National President                                             CAPA Women’s Officer
Peter Derbyshire                                                            Alyssa Shaw
E: president@capa.edu.au                                           E: women@capa.edu.au
M: 0435 047 817                                                            M: 0414 792 540