Business Daily Media

Times Advertising

.

Fair Work Ombudsman speaks your language with instant website translation

  • Written by Media Release
It is now easier than ever for overseas workers and linguistically diverse communities to find out about their workplace rights and obligations, with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website now accessible in 40 languages other than English.



Visitors to www.fairwork.gov.au can now instantly translate website content, including fact sheets, information guides and templates, with just the click of a button.
 
The new functionality is the latest in a series of initiatives by the regulator aimed at making it easier for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to seek workplace assistance.
 
Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said that her agency is strongly committed to ensuring that all people working in Australia are equipped with the tools and information they need to stand up for their workplace rights.
 
“Language barriers can represent a significant obstacle to workers seeking to find out what their rights and entitlements are, knowing where and how to seek help with workplace issues, or having the confidence to speak up,” Ms James said.
 
“We know that this can leave workers vulnerable to exploitation and we see far too many examples where people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly visa holders, are treated unfairly and unlawfully in the workplace.
 
“We also want to ensure that new arrivals who are interested in starting businesses in Australia have easy access to the information they need to comply with workplace laws.”
 
Ms James said that the real-time translated content would enable those with limited English skills to more easily find the information that they need, when they need it.
 
“We are here to help all employers and employees in Australia to understand their workplace rights and obligations – regardless of which language they speak,” Ms James said.
 
The new website functionality follows the launch of six in-language videos in November last year aimed at raising awareness of Australian workplace laws amongst visa-holders.
 
Earlier last year, Natalie James wrote an open letter to international students urging them to speak up if they have any concerns in relation to their employment.
 
This followed the launch of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s popular Anonymous Report function in 16 languages other than English, which allows visa-holders to report workplace concerns anonymously to the agency in their own language.
 
Employers and employees seeking assistance can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50

Follow the Fair Work Ombudsman on twitter @fairwork_gov_au or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fairwork.gov.au.

Sign up to receive the Fair Work Ombudsman’s media releases direct to your email inbox at www.fairwork.gov.au/mediareleases.

BizCover Brings Australia’s First AI-Based Insurance Quotes to ChatGPT

Australian small business owners can now receive and compare business insurance quotes directly inside ChatGPT, in a move that signals a major shi...

VistaPrint Research Reveals Australian Small Businesses Face a Succession Cliff

With only 16% of retiring small businesses having a succession plan, tens of thousands risk closure as one in three owners nears retirement.  Ne...

Corporate volunteering grows up: how companies are shifting to meaningful, community-led impact

As workplaces settle into the new year and look for ways to strengthen culture, capability and connection, experts say corporate volunteering is e...

The Rise of Mobile-First Venues

Global Hospitality Platform, Tabit, Reveals Five Ways to Maximise Benefits of Mobile-First Systems  As Australian hospitality venues grapple with...

Why the SME is now the primary engine of global cybercrime

For over a decade, the most practical and effective advice we could offer an employee was to spot the typo. It was practical, it was free, and it wo...

Work-life Balance Key to Solving Construction Talent Shortage

New data from leading talent company Randstad Australia shows flexible working and work-life balance could be critical to addressing ongoing talen...