From Factory Fodder to Multicultural Mediators: a New Typology of Immigrant Work Experiences in Australia

Australia has the highest proportion of overseas born immigrants of any Western country, with over 200 language backgrounds. This book examines how the working patterns of immigrant workers have changed through the 1980s to the 21st century in response to globalisation, economic restructuring, industrial relations changes and increasing emphasis on skilled migration. Based on survey data and interviews with immigrants across the occupational spectrum, the book presents a typology for understanding the genesis and nature of modern work patterns from unskilled (factory fodder) through semi skilled (upskilled manual workers) to highly skilled (including multicultural mediators). The book finds that the working patterns and concerns of immigrants continue to differ from those of the native workforce. Issues of exploitation and work intensification, through to more subtle concerns about under-employment and blocked career paths continue to characterise the working lives of Australian immigrant workers. Overall, however, immigrants' occupational status is improving within this rapidly changing economic and structural context.