SWK172 Case Study: Migrant Workers, Social Justice & Anti-Oppression

This case study analysis focuses on the challenges faced by migrant workers in Australia, particularly regarding employment discrimination and lack of equal opportunities. It identifies key issues such as racial and ethnic discrimination, marginalization, and the resulting loss of hope among migrants. The analysis emphasizes the importance of justice policy, anti-oppressive practice, and the role of social work in addressing these issues. It suggests strategies for empowering migrants, promoting social fairness, and advocating for policy changes to combat discrimination and unemployment. The analysis also highlights the need for government intervention, enforcement of human rights, and ethical values to ensure equity and well-being for migrant communities. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and solved assignments for students.

Case study analysis
Migrant work case 2

Case summary
Involves re-settlement support worker offering small migrant
settlement service
Assisting people who have migrated to Australia
A lot of migrants cannot find employment
They have good verbal English language skills, broad range
of qualifications and work experience in their country of
origin
However they feel very discriminated against when applying
for jobs.
They feel a sense of hopelessness after searching for
employment for several months without success.

Key issues from the case
Discrimination based on race, ethnicity,
region
Lack of equality and equity in employment
Marginalization and oppression among
migrants
People have the qualifications for
employment
Loss of hope and discouragement

Being a social worker
Desire to help people.
Make difference to people’s lives
Change systems that encourage poverty
among people.
Get educated and get employed.
The need to work with the people.
Lead meaningful life.
Being a survivor-help others do the same.

Way forward: Justice policy
 To have justice prevail equals are to be treated
equally
 Unequals are not to be treated equally
 Procedural justice is needed
 Policy needs to address interests of the most
disadvantaged in society-migrants
 Their basic needs should be met in egalitarian way
 Justice should be based on fairness when
implementing its policies (Sheafor, & Horejsi,
2006, p. 63)
 Priority should go to the most urgent needs-focus
should be given to unemployed people

Oppression
Three forms of oppression are noted from the
case;
 Exploitation- migrants are not considered as part of
the original habitats
 Marginalisation-migrants are not given equal chances
in jobs or employment (Baines, 2011, p. 34)
 Powerlessness- migrants are discriminated for being
powerless and this leads to hopelessness among
them
 Policy needs to be formulated to address the issue

Anti-oppressive practice
 Empowering migrants to increase their control over
their lives through employment
 Social worker to partner with migrant groups to hear
their voice and take actions when issues become
clear (Ife, 2008, p. 78)
 Clear and honest communication is needed to
encourage the people
 Creates awareness among people about their own
power

Seeking solution
Social work can operate within various
jurisdictions that come together and solve the
issues affecting immigrants
These include;
Australian government-international intervention
State government-regional solution
Territory government-regional intervention
Local government- issue identified locally
International agreements and intersections
inter- governmental agreements and intersections

Enforce human rights
 Respecting worth, dignity and people autonomy
 Respect the rights of individuals or groups
 Offer humane service that fulfils duty of care and avoids
harming others (Bowles, et al. 2006, p. 56)
 Foster wellbeing, justice autonomy and social
responsibility based on people’s rights
 Respect and recognize interdependence, collective needs
and reciprocity among various groups

Ethical values towards equity
Promote social fairness and justice by reducing barriers that the
migrants and immigrants face
Target the most oppressed, marginalized , disadvantaged and
vulnerable in society (Banks, S. 2016 , p. 53) .
Advocate for change to the social structures and systems the
encourage injustice and inequality
Eliminate violations against all human rights
Ensuring that people enjoy their political, civil, economic, cultural
and social rights
Encourage the protection of environments that support social
wellbeing
Encourage community to participate in decisions and processes
that develop and implement social policies and service

Fighting unemployment
The government needs to encourage
industrialization to increase jobs
Create and enforce policies that fight against
discrimination
Protect the rights of immigrants
Empower immigrants by having them
employed
Create equal environment for all Australian
people including immigrant groups and
individuals

References
 Baines, D. 2011. An overview of anti-oppressive practice, in
Doing Anti-Oppressive Practice. Black Point, Fernwood
Publishing.
 Banks, S. 2016. Everyday ethics in professional life: social
work as ethics work, Ethics and Social Welfare. 10(1), 35-
52.
 Bowles, W., Collingridge, M., Curry, S. & Valentine, B. 2006.
Ethical Practice in Social Work: An Applied Approach,
Crows Nest, Allen & Unwin.
 Ife, J. 2008. Human Rights and Social Work: Towards Rights-
Based Practice, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
 Sheafor, B. & Horejsi, C. 2006. Techniques and Guidelines
for Social Work Practice, Pearson, Boston.