File spoon-archives/aut-op-sy.archive/aut-op-sy_2001/aut-op-sy.0109, message 27


From: "Margaret" <margaret-AT-rie.net.au>
Subject: AUT: asylum seekers to work on Nauru
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2001 16:44:41 +1000


webcast newsTrouble ahead when the refugees reach Nauru?
by Cassandra Murphy 3:59pm Tue Sep 4 '01

The Afghan asylum-seekers will be "put to work" (that is, manual labour) on
Nauru, according to an Australlian Associated Press report. The report does
not say whether the work will be paid or voluntary it does not say whether
the workers will have unionised conditions. (Perhaps they could be employed
making sportswear for Nike?)
Boat people 'will be put to work on island'
>From AAP
Brisbane Courier Mail web site, 04sep01

THE Pacific island nation of Nauru may put its contingent of Afghan boat
people to work building a swimming pool and planting trees.

The tiny republic has agreed to take the bulk of the Australian-bound asylum
seekers who were stranded on board the Norwegian freighter MS Tampa off
Christmas Island.

The more than 430 asylum seekers have been transferred to the troop ship,
HMAS Manoora, which will take them to Papua New Guinea for transfer to Nauru
and New Zealand for refugee processing.

Nauru's Melbourne-based Solicitor-General Kerry Smith confirmed today that
the 288 boat people expected on the island may be asked to take part in a
community service program.

"We don't want these people getting bored and getting into trouble whilst
they're there so its better to keep them busy and keep them working - giving
them a work ethic," Ms Smith said.

"It will improve everybody's lifestyle and it will certainly give them
something to do instead of standing around all day and doing nothing.

"At least they will be productive and it will be a positive thing for them
and for the island."

The legality of putting the asylum seekers to work is being checked with
international law and would have to be passed by the Nauru cabinet.

Ms Smith said the plan had the support of Vice President Remy Namaduk.

"In Australia where there are hunger strikes, fights and people trying to
break out - it is effectively jail," Ms Smith said.

"(On Nauru) these people are not treated as prisoners as such but they are
brought into the community to assist in being able to rejuvenate the
island."

Nauru, which measures just 21 square kilometres, is the smallest republic on
earth and is facing major environmental and economic challenges as its prime
industry, phosphate mining, nears an end.

Ms Smith denied the asylum seekers would be effectively turned into slaves.

"If they want to stay in a lock-up type situation I'm sure that Nauru could
accommodate it, but I'm sure that everybody would want to work and to
contribute after the kindness that the Nauruan people have shown them."

SOURCE:
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,2764502%255E421,
00.html

www.iww.org For A World Without Bosses



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