Australian Human Rights Commission Australia and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), Shadow report to the CERD Committee – 8 July 2010 Recommendation 34: That the Minister for Sustainable Population establish an Interdepartmental Committee across human services and sustainability agencies to: (I) share research data, (II) coordinate policy, (III) develop integrated approaches and (IV) provide strategic advice around balancing immigration flows, population targets, workforce planning, infrastructure and ecological sustainability. 7.6 Access to the labour market (ICERD Article 5) 102. The 2007 Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Recent Migrants Survey found the following: 90 • Almost four-fifths (79 percent) of recent migrants had a job at some time since arriving in Australia. Males were more likely to have had a job than females (89 percent compared to 70 percent). • Of the recent migrants who had found employment at some time since arriving in Australia, 36 percent reported having experienced difficulty finding their first job. Of those who experienced difficulty, the most commonly reported difficulties included: having a lack of Australian work experience or references (56 percent), language difficulties (35 percent) and having a lack of local contacts and networks (29 percent). • The overall labour force participation rate for recent migrants was 72 percent, with males (87 percent) having a higher rate than females (59 percent). In comparison, the participation rate for the Australian-born population was 69 percent. For males and females born in Australia, participation rates were 75 percent and 62 percent respectively. The Australian Human Rights Commission notes that the above data precedes the onset of the global financial crisis. According to the International Organisation for Migration, workers from migrant backgrounds are among the most vulnerable in relation to job losses and poor treatment in the workplace. 91 • Recent migrants who were born in main English-speaking countries had a higher participation rate than those born in other than main Englishspeaking countries (81 percent compared to 69 percent). The highest participation rate amongst recent migrants was for those who held skilled visas (83 percent). 103. The Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Recent Migrants Survey identifies language difficulties as a significant factor that impacts negatively on access to the Australian labour market. English language ability/language barriers should be included as an indicator under the lack of access to the job market section of the Compendium. 104. The process for the recognition of overseas gained skills and qualifications should similarly be recognised as a significant barrier in relation to accessing the Australian labour market. The 2003 Review of Settlement Services for Migrants and Humanitarian Entrants report noted that skills recognition 30