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Our report is out. It won't surprise you but it should shock & anger & sadden you.
This is the first study to reveal the extent of exclusion, racism, & deeper emotional impact of Australia’s callous policies during the pandemic.
Some key findings below
https://www.mwji.org/covidreport
This is the first study to reveal the extent of exclusion, racism, & deeper emotional impact of Australia’s callous policies during the pandemic.
Some key findings below
https://www.mwji.org/covidreport
70% of respondents lost their jobs or had hours cut during the pandemic.
Thousands were left unable to pay for food and rent, having been categorically excluded from Jobkeeper & other such govt support schemes.
Thousands were left unable to pay for food and rent, having been categorically excluded from Jobkeeper & other such govt support schemes.
Over a quarter were unable to afford their basic groceries
1 in 7 international students have been homeless (some sleeping cars & on couches)
42% had been afraid they would be homeless
10% were unable to pay for medicine &
15% could not see doctor when they were unwell
1 in 7 international students have been homeless (some sleeping cars & on couches)
42% had been afraid they would be homeless
10% were unable to pay for medicine &
15% could not see doctor when they were unwell
We heard stories of those being overcharged by unscrupulous head-tenants & landlords.
International students were locked into lengthy student accommodation contracts and were refused refunds despite being evicted.
International students were locked into lengthy student accommodation contracts and were refused refunds despite being evicted.
Those who continued to work faced poor, exploitative, & unsafe working conditions, and unliveable wages.
Workers were not provided with PPE and they did not have sick leave (or were not able to take it even if they were ill otherwise they'd risk losing their jobs).
Workers were not provided with PPE and they did not have sick leave (or were not able to take it even if they were ill otherwise they'd risk losing their jobs).
Almost a quarter of respondents faced harrowing racist attacks.
In open responses, they wrote about verbal harassment, physical abuse, being shunned in public, at work & housing. This included derogatory & xenophobic slurs, being treated as though they were a walking infection.
In open responses, they wrote about verbal harassment, physical abuse, being shunned in public, at work & housing. This included derogatory & xenophobic slurs, being treated as though they were a walking infection.
Many recounted horrific experiences of physical assault: being punched, hit, kicked, shoved, & being deliberately spat at or coughed on. Though the Asian community was disproportionately targeted, respondents of various nationalities reported being told to “get out of Australia”.
Instead of showing temporary visa holders care & compassion & providing social support, the Australian Govt showed its true colours.
It treated intl students like ATMs & measured migrants by their economic worth, & yet left them all stranded in a great time of need.
It treated intl students like ATMs & measured migrants by their economic worth, & yet left them all stranded in a great time of need.
Despite the generous community response, the effects of Australia's abandonment of temporary visa holders will far outlast the pandemic. It has already significantly impacted Australia's global reputation.
No one should be left behind because of a visa status.
No one should be left behind because of a visa status.
Thank you to @UNSWLaw's @BassinaF & @TheMWJI's Laurie Berg for their crucial & tireless work & leadership on putting this whole report together, & for the privilege of letting us play a tiny role in shedding a light on these grave injustices.
Reports of this magnitude are always a communal effort - but it needs to be acknowledged @UNSWLaw is all the stronger for having such fierce teachers and advocates for justice in its midst.
