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e-mail address: coordinator@awatw.org.au
April 8, 2008
Media Release
Cries from the Workplace
20 stories, 20 women
Stories of migrant women workers in Sydney
Launch by NSW Minister for Women
Ms Verity Firth MLA
Tuesday 8th April 2008, 12 noon to 1pm
Jubilee Room, NSW Parliament House
The booklet is important because Asian women are speaking for themselves about the daily reality
in their workplaces. This is not academic, not written in formal or professional language. The
women describe their experiences in their own words. Many of the stories were written first in
Chinese or Vietnamese and then translated.
These are short, stark descriptions of working, and how the women feel. For example, an extract
from Story 4 says, “My pay and conditions are very low. I only get $11 an hour even though I start
working at 3am in the morning… I wish we could receive lawful wages and conditions and the boss
could treat us with respect and dignity. We only get 30 minutes for lunch and no tea breaks and rest
breaks. We should have tea breaks and rest time. We are not machines. We can't work like robots.”
The women have decided to tell their stories and speak out because they say it is time for change.
“We want this country to do better when it comes to looking after people who are struggling at the
bottom end of society”, says Hong Nguyen from the Asian Women at Work Action Group. “We
want our stories to be part of the discussions and debates on a new industrial relations system in
Australia. We do not want to be forgotten. We didn’t believe such exploitation could happen in
Australia. We never expected this to be part of our new life here”, said Ms Nguyen.
Production of the booklet has been funded by Revesby Workers Club, the Uniting Church 2% for
Development Fund and the SEARCH Foundation, through Asian Women at Work Inc.
Amanda Jackson, from the Uniting Church 2% Fund says, “the stories in this booklet will make
readers feel uncomfortable because they show how many migrant women in our city are underpaid,
bullied and exploited. I hope the dignified voices of these women will be heard and their call for
equality and a fair go is answered.”
Action Group members are available for interviews. The booklet is available in English,
Chinese and Vietnamese. The Action Group members hope the booklet will encourage other
migrant women workers to speak up and tell their stories.
Media Contacts: Debbie Carstens 0409 841 208; Lina Cabaero 0407 841 010
NEWS 
