Last night SBS aired a segment showing Vietnamese international students being exploited by their Vietnamese Australians in the hospitality industry.

Though not limited to the Vietnamese Community, it is in-excusable for businesses to take advantage of international students. Small businesses are a significant part of our economy and in Victoria the hospitality industry including many Vietnamese restaurants play a major role in the economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy of our state. It is important that they are provided with effective means of education and information to ensure they understand their roles and obligations as an employer. The law will deal with those who deliberately fail to comply.

International students must be provided with information of their rights, responsibilities and obligations, so they can say no to an offer below minimum wage and can choose to work within their 20-hour limit per week, be it at a fellow Vietnamese restaurant or at a known hospitality brand. “We welcome the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce from the Federal Government in dealing with the exploitation of migrant workers. We trust the terms of reference of this Taskforce or there is an alternative focus that deals with the work required to ensure the international students understand their rights and responsibilities prior to coming to study. Such preventative approach can minimize such events from occurring and substantially reduce the costs as well as the adverse impact to our social settings”. Said Viv Nguyen, President of the VCA Vic.

The Vietnamese community in Australia has integrated in Australia since re-settling as refugees. As a community who has overcome the tragedy of the war, the community has successfully re-established in Australia to make significant contributions to this nation. “We are grateful for the generosity of the Australian people and are doing our best to enhance the multicultural fabrics of our society. We are embarking on a 5-year project to build the first Vietnamese museum in Victoria. It is very exciting”. Said Phong Nguyen, Vice President for Internal Affairs and Chair of the Vietnamese Cultural & Heritage Centre. “But at the same time, we want to ensure the community continues to thrive and make our contribution here”.

It is positive to see SBS taking an interest in matters that affect our nation’s reputation as SBS has a significant role to play in linking diverse cultural groups, providing information to assist people in their adjustment to Australian life while also maintaining their cultural identity. It is thus unfortunate and ironic that a multicultural broadcaster lacks the cultural sensitivity and the dialogue leading up to the airing of the episode, and as such creates greater tension in the community and weakens the social cohesiveness SBS exists to serve.

As requested by SBS, the VCA has provided repeated feedback to SBS to consider its services to the community but such feedback have not been given due attention. We will continue to engage SBS and will work closely with the Australian community to drive out this exploitation.

For more information please contact Phong Nguyen 0411 756 552 or Viv Nguyen 0412 188 920.