A local jobs expo for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds has this year seen a 40% increase in attendence, as multicultural jobseekers report tougher times securing employment.
More than 1400 jobseekers turned out to the Multicultural Career and Job Expo at the Logan Entertainment Centre earlier this month – over 500 more than last year.
Expo organizer Zakaria Amin said he was delighted with the turnout, which featured “representatives from just about every country on the planet”, that he said was a result of more people looking for work.
“The response was terrific,” Dr Amin said.
“This year, we had people who’d just arrived from Myanmar, the Ukraine and Palestine turn up to the expo – along with one man who drove all the way from Gladstone.”
However, he noted that minorities were finding it more challenging to find jobs than their equally-qualified counterparts – sometimes because of their name, accent or look.
“That’s why these expos are so necessary, because it helps provide a level playing field – and it gives them a sense of being welcomed into the community.
“Having multicultural expos creates access and opportunities, with employers supporting the event who are willing to open their doors and give refugees and migrants a chance.”
This year’s event featured around 60 different potential employers – from Bunnings and the federal police, to a meat processor and Logan Water.
Dr Amin said planning was already underway for next year’s event “which would be the fourth expo and even bigger and better again”.
