Settlement and employment outcomes of black African immigrants in Southeast Queensland, Australia

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on the economic integration of black African immigrants settling in Queensland by examining their experiences and views on employment within Australia's labor market. The paper draws on findings from a qualitative study conducted in Southeast Queensland. The study examines how black African immigrants define their identity, socioeconomic wellbeing and sense of belonging in white majority Australia. The findings suggest that settlement and integration policies in Australia need to be informed by immigrants' employment experiences. The paper contributes to the literature on the role of employment in the settlement and integration processes of racially and culturally different immigrants.

African Immigrants to Australia: Barriers and Challenges to Labor Market Success

“…The unemployment rates for people born in North Africa and the Middle East (12.0%) and sub-Saharan Africa (7.5%) are relatively higher than for people born in Europe or Asia-immigrants from Africa are three times more likely to be unemployed than other recent European or Asian immigrant groups in the first five years of settlement (ABS, 2018). On the grounds of being 'visibly different' in the context of predominantly white Australia, Africans suffer considerably high levels of unemployment, underemployment, and massive loss of occupational status (Abur and Spaaij, 2016;Colic-Peisker 2009), which can contribute to financial and emotional distress (Udah et al, 2019a).…”

Untitled

“…These include, but are not limited to: (a) their immigrant and class condition; (b) failure to recognise their qualifications obtained overseas; (c) assumptions that their educational and work experience cannot be translated to the Australian context; (d) their accent equated with lack of English language proficiency; and (e) their skin colour, especially dark skin, equated with a racialised identity. While factors such as non-recognition of overseas qualifications and lack of Australian work experience continue to marginalise and act as impediments in securing employment for many immigrants and refugees (Colic-Peisker and Tilbury, 2007;Udah, 2018), skin colour and accent add additional layers of marginalisation and exclusion for our participants (Udah, Singh and Chamberlain, 2019). This means that they are more likely to be treated differently and disadvantaged by prejudices, or bias or discrimination.…”

“…In diversified and multicultural countries like Australia, counteracting immigrant and refugee disadvantage may require incorporating inclusive practices that include anti-oppressive and anti-racism education in schools, classrooms, and workplaces. It may also require counteracting negative discourses, promoting diversity and social justice, providing job training and placement and addressing employment discrimination and employers' prejudices or preferences or reluctance to employ new immigrant and refugee arrivals with overseas qualifications or non-Australian Standard accent through ongoing conversation on race relations, and on the barriers and challenges that are ever-present and confront immigrants and refugees (Colic-Peisker and Tilbury, 2007;Udah, Singh and Chamberlain, 2019). Hence, this article is an invitation to promote social inclusion and healthy community environments.…”

“…Further, they were selected because of their level of educationa third of the participants hold a bachelor's degree and two have a doctorate degreeas well as their English proficiency, both factors important in promoting civic participation. While the participants vary in their demographic characteristics, most have tertiary qualifications and professional expertise, which are much sought after in today's knowledge-based economy (Udah, Singh and Chamberlain, 2019). In addition, many of the participants are naturalised Australian citizens.…”

Experiences of vulnerability and sources of resilience among immigrants and refugees

“…Further, they were selected because of their level of education -a third of the participants hold a bachelor's degree and two have a doctorate degree-as well as their English proficiency, both factors important in promoting civic participation. While the participants vary in their demographic characteristics, most have tertiary qualifications and professional expertise, which are much sought after in today's knowledge-based economy (Udah, Singh and Chamberlain, 2019). In addition, many of the participants are naturalised Australian citizens.…”