Friday, 2 May 2008 Multilingual booklet to educate migrants about work rights A surge of building workers from non-English speaking backgrounds has inspired the construction union to create a simple guide to workplace rights in five of the fastest growing language groups. The multilingual booklet, to be launched on Monday by Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs Laurie Ferguson, provides basic information in Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Farsi and Korean. CFMEU NSW Secretary Andrew Ferguson said the booklet included information on workers compensation, superannuation, underpaid wages, safety, legal representation, long service leave and also outlines the assistance available for guest workers. “Building sites are some of the most multicultural workplaces in the country, which is why the union is putting increased resources into ensuring migrant workers have information about their rights at work in their own languages,” Mr Ferguson said. “In an industry where poor safety results in one death a week and where many workers are underpaid basic legal entitlements it is essential that all workers, regardless of race, have access to this essential information to protect them from exploitation. “This booklet targets the five fastest growing language groups in the industry, with a large number of Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Persian and Afghani workers continuing to enter the sector. “The union also has experienced organisers covering a dozen major language groups to ensure all building workers have access to accurate information about workplace issues.” A number of MP’s, including Henry Tsang, Eddie Obeid and Lynda Voltz, will be joined by community representatives, local councillors and industry representatives at the launch. Migrant groups, community centres and members of the community can get a copy of the publication by contacting the CFMEU on (02) 9749 0400.