The Centre for Indigenous People and Work at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees with disability are more likely to be subjected to racist behaviour.
About 31 per cent of Indigenous workers with disability said non-Indigenous colleagues often make inappropriate comments or assumptions about them. This compares to 23 per cent of Indigenous workers without disability.
“These findings are disturbing,” said PSA CPSU NSW General Secretary Stewart Little.
The report also found Indigenous people were much less likely to be employed when they have disability. Only 40 per cent of Aboriginal adults with disability have employment, compared with 75 per cent of those without.
“There is scope for making more provisions in our workplaces that are both culturally appropriate for Aboriginal workers, as well as equipped for those with disability,” said Mr Little. “NSW can do better for all workers.”
The UTS report recommends the Racial Discrimination Act include a legal obligation on employers to take ‘reasonable and proportionate measures’ to proactively prevent racism.
The Public Service Association of NSW and Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) NSW Branch acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and the places in which we live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future. We recognise the unique cultural and spiritual relationship and celebrate the contributions of first nations peoples to Australia.