Work and Indigenous Wellbeing: Developing a Research Agenda Kirrily Jordan Centre for Aboriginal...
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Transcript of Work and Indigenous Wellbeing: Developing a Research Agenda Kirrily Jordan Centre for Aboriginal...
Work and Indigenous Wellbeing: Developing a Research Agenda
Kirrily JordanCentre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
Unemployment rate by Indigenous status, 1971 - 2006
Note: Time series comparisons are problematic and should be taken as indicative onlySource: ABS Census of Population and Housing 1971, 1981, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1971 1981 1991 1996 2001 2006
% o
f la
bo
ur
forc
e
Indigenous
Non-Indigenous
Labour force status of Indigenous Australians aged 15-64 years, 2006
Employed Unemployed Total labour force
Not in labour force
Labour forceparticipation
rate%
2006 122,000 23,000 144,000 109,000 57
Note: Based on usual place of residence.Source: Census data, SCRGSP 2009.
Paid work as both a right and a responsibility
• Paid work as central to wellbeing:“There is nothing more important in managing the Australian
economy than to ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to work. A job provides more than just a pay packet—it gives dignity and purpose, provides security for the future and connects people to their community” (ALP 2010).
• And for those who can work, it’s not just a right but also an obligation:
“Federal Labor believes all Australians on income support should have the opportunity of work—but with greater opportunity comes greater responsibility” (ALP 2010)
Is there theory/evidence behind this approach?
• It fits very comfortably with Pearson’s approach:• points to the corrosiveness of welfare dependency• identifies the solution as increased participation in the ‘real
economy’
• Supported by empirical studies of unemployment• poorer mental and physical health• higher rates of crime and substance abuse• particular problems for the long term unemployed
• And by studies of employment• increased income, economic independence• improved self-esteem and self-confidence• skills development• expanded social networks
But does this always hold true?
• Some types of work may undermine wellbeing• ‘inadequate’ work (intermittent, poorly paid or insecure) • excessive work• unsatisfying work
• ‘Australian Work and Life Index’ July 2010• long work hours increase risks to mental and physical health
• Lifeline Newspoll Survey July 2010• 72% of Australian workers feel stressed and blame their jobs
• Wellbeing and happiness studies• most people rate intrinsic factors, like the quality of social
relationships, as more important to their wellbeing
The cultural value of paid work
• The value we attach to work is a cultural / social construct • eg. the ill-effects of unemployment are more pronounced among
people with a greater psychological investment in paid work • work as paid employment is a relatively new idea• Weber and the Protestant ethic
• Indigenous cultures and the value of paid work• Nugget Coombs: Market employment may involve a trade-off
between earning cash and other forms of ‘work’• Maintaining cultural and family obligations might be the ‘real’ work
that confers social status and self esteem• These arguments are supported by more recent research• But information about Indigenous attitudes and aspirations to paid
work is still inadequate, particularly for urban areas
North East Arnhem Land
• A fairly unique colonial history • colonial incursions came relatively late (mid to late 1800s) • Methodist missionaries did not seek to eradicate Yolngu culture
or force people off the land• the result is a strong and proud Yolngu culture and some
resistance to the notion they have ever ceded sovereignty
• Homelands movement of the 1970s• many Yolngu opposed the bauxite mine and perceived threats to
their social fabric• they actively sought to reclaim their lands by re-establishing
settlements on clan estates • these homelands remain fundamental to Yolngu identities and
cultures today
‘Work’ in North East Arnhem Land
• Many Yolngu embraced CDEP • the scheme was devised to prevent welfare dependence while
facilitating local employment and community development• block grants to local Aboriginal organisations created part-time
jobs, with the possibility of additional ‘top up’ payments• at its peak, CDEP employed more than 35,000 people
• But CDEP has been very contentious• CDEP as a disincentive to mainstream work, or a form of ‘pseudo
welfare’• there is evidence that some CDEP projects have paid participants
regardless of their work effort• CDEP has been used as cost-shifting
• In North East Arnhem Land ‘no work no pay’
Current changes in employment policy • The ALP has committed to radical reform of CDEP
• by July 2011 all participants will be transitioned off CDEP wages onto the new ‘CDEP income support’.
• new participants must first sign up for Newstart Allowance, then be referred to a Job Services Australia provider, then be referred to a CDEP program.
• the new CDEP is ostensibly a pre-employment program to transition participants into mainstream work
• Simultaneous reform of employment services• Job Services Australia
• The vision is to restore ‘positive social norms’ around work • ‘the old ways of doing things have comprehensively failed
generations of Indigenous Australians’ (Commonwealth of Australia 2010)
What do the policy changes mean in practice? • Without CDEP there are few alternative jobs
• Working on Country is a promising development, but still a small employer
• most Yolngu either don’t want to work in the mine, or have limited capacity to do so
• some micro-enterprises are developing but significant sustainable employment is a long way off
• in practice, most people are still referred to CDEP (but now on Newstart)
• moving away for work is no guarantee of improved outcomes
• Is a ‘job services’ approach appropriate?• it may not fit with the reality of the labour market, or with peoples’
current capacities and values
Conclusions: Work and Indigenous wellbeing • Unemployment (and CDEP) can be barriers to wellbeing
• eg. lack of financial freedom
• Many Indigenous people do want paid work
• But we should be cautious about narrow definitions• eg. when it’s very narrowly defined, ‘work’ can undermine other
productive activity• differences in cultural values may mean the trade-offs are greater
for some Indigenous people
• Future research: We need to know • what are the costs?• what are the alternatives?• what do Indigenous people want?