Literacy dole scheme may discriminate against migrants
The Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA)
believes the Government's new policy on literacy and numeracy may
be discriminatory against young migrants.
Unemployed 18 to 24 year-olds who fail basic reading and writing
tests will have to undergo remedial courses or lose part of the
dole.
But FECCA is concerned the Government will not distinguish between
people with learning difficulties and those who are taking up
English as a second language.
Spokesperson Nick Agocs says FECCA is considering pursuing the
issue with the Human Rights Commission.
"Migrant groups are already excluded from any sort of benefits for
two years," he said.
"This will make it even worse for some of the youth who might just
qualify after two years for some sort of unemployment benefit, but
they have not had the proper training that is needed to learn
English."
>From ABC News on-line, Friday 29 January, 1999
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