AFRICAN WORKERS WITH ATTITUDE

African migrants and refugees have found a rich tapestry of life in Australia. When they are not working as service personnel in the growing security industry or driving taxis when they’re not studying, they have made their presence felt in a number of areas. Now, their skills are in high demand in the caring professions throughout the land , mainly as teachers, nurses, and doctors.

At the other end of the spectrum are the brand new arrivals, the semi-skilled (menial) workers of all sorts who take the jobs other Australians would not touch with a 10-meter pole.

Essentially though, these relatively young, fun-loving, tolerant, and easy-going Africans have the right attitude for survival in an alien environment.

But despite their position in the food chain, the new generation of Africans have proved to be magnificent workers - efficient, versatile and ever-willing to learn.

They have something very special to offer the modern industries: a positive mental attitude and work ethics that are the envy of other Australians. No wonder the Australian employers increasingly see the new arrivals as an attractive source of cheap labour.

Recently, a meat processing company in Western Australia, has sponsored five “slaughtermen” from Ghana to work in its abattoir in Bunbury, 180km south of Perth; providing them with temporary business visas that may last up to four years.

The thing is that the Australian meat industry is far-sighted in its recruitment, induction, and training policy. In fact, it is ready to import African optimism and work ethics to revive the ailing industry and keep its expansion plans alive.