20 July 2009

Asian Women At Work

Raising the Voice of Migrant Women Workers in Precarious Employment,

Project is being undertaken by Asian Women at Work Inc (AWatW), auspiced by Network of Immigrant and Refugee Women of Australia Inc. (NIRWA).

The Project is funded by the Office for Women, 2008-09 Leadership and Development Program Grants program of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Support immigrant and refugee women workers in precarious employment to:

• highlight the issues they face in the workplace, at home and in the community; and

• provide information and training to assist them to raise their concerns at community and political levels.

• consultation with migrant women workers nationally;

• convening a Migrant Women's Forum for approximately 250 migrant women to discuss issues identified during the consultation process;

• provide training to assist workers deal with these issues; and

• arrange meetings with relevant decision-makers including politicians to raise the issues identified at the Forum and propose strategies for action.

• In the process, develop a national contact group of organisations working with migrant women workers in precarious employment, to support these women in ongoing networking and lobbying

HOURS OF WORK: 15 hours per week

STARTING DATE: August 2009

DURATION OF PROJECT: 1 year

RESPONSIBLE TO: Project Advisory Group (NIRWA and AWatW), and to Asian Women at Work Co-ordinator on a daily basis.

OFFICE BASE: 114 Restwell St, Bankstown, Sydney

• experience working with migrant communities

• an understanding of the issues for immigrant and refugee women in the workplace

• an understanding of and respect for unions and community organisations

• demonstrated commitment to social justice

• ablity to clearly and sensitively communicate - verbally and in writing - with a wide range of people and groups

• capacity to build relationships and work cross culturally

• an ability to analyse the economic, political and social context in which our target group and the organisation operates

• an ability to work in a team

• ability to co-ordinate a large event

• experience in community organising/community development

• experience working in either the community sector or in a union

• some experience as a community educator

• ability to speak a language other than English

SACS Award - $25.80 an hour, plus salary packaging. (Above award for Grade 4, year 4)

Asian Women at Work Inc (AWatW)

Asian Women at Work is a well known network of Asian migrant women workers in low paid employment that empowers, resources and assists women to stand up, speak out and take collective action to advocate for their rights and develop strategies that improve women's lives, end exploitation in the workplace and home, obtain secure employment and enable them to understand and contribute to Australian society.

AWatW has a current membership of over 1300 Asian migrant working women from across Sydney, and is managed by these women with the support of a Consultative Group. Project funding comes from a diverse range of bodies including Federal and State Government, clubs, churches, foundations and unions.

Network of Immigrant and Refugee Women of Australia Inc (NIRWA) NIRWA is a newly established independent body that seeks to advocate for immigrant and refugee women at the national level by working to achieve cultural, social, economic, educational and gender equality for immigrant and refugee women living in Australia. NIRWA is a national peak body bringing together state peak bodies from across Australia with a combined membership of some 20,000 immigrant and refugee women.

Applications should address the above selection criteria, and include a resume and names of 2 referees.
Send to: Debbie Carstens, Acting Co-ordinator, Asian Women at Work Inc, PO Box 253, Bankstown 1885
Or coordinator@awatw.org.au

COB 03 August 2009

Debbie Carstens

Acting Co-Ordinator, Asian Women at Work

114 Restwell St, Bankstown, Sydney

0437 879 442

coordinator@awatw.org.au