By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A RUSH of asylum seekers who are desperate to exercise newly-acquired work rights has descended on the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre’s Dandenong office.
Manager Rosa Misitano said the office – funded through philanthropy – faces the challenge of getting 25 new weekly clients job-ready.
She said there had been a recent surge of asylum seekers transferred from bridging visas to temporary protection visas – which has allowed them to work in Australia for the first time.
The ASRC’s case workers help clients to create resumes, and learn the art of interviews, follow-up calls, and occupational health and safety.
For many clients, they also must first attend classes for six months to improve their English-language skills.
“They say ‘I’ve been here two years’ but we can’t put them forth to an employer if they need a translator,” Ms Misitano said.
“You need your basics for (occupational) health and safety.
“Employers want people who can follow instructions.”
It’s hard to pull the reins on clients “excited and desperate” for work.
In many cases, their lives have been in impoverished and unemployed limbo for months and years.
In the past year, the resource centre has helped 37 clients gain their “first job in Australia”.
“Some employers are wonderful,” Ms Misitano said.
“They’re really interested in having someone loyal and willing to work hard.
“We get people quite qualified who are willing to take farm and factory work. They don’t leave after three weeks.”
Volunteers from various workplaces have recently pitched in to help fast-track clients’ job-ready induction.
Recently five staff from global IT company Workday helped out with resume writing and job skills workshops.
The ASRC is seeking volunteers who are experienced in Australian workplace culture as well as qualified English as a Second Language tutors.
Details from dandenong@asrc.org.au.
