A Comparative Analysis of the Industrial Relations Experiences of Indigenous and other Australian Workers

There is considerable conjecture about discrimination against Indigenous Australians in the workplace. This article is an exploratory attempt to systematically describe the overall differences in the industrial relations experiences of Indigenous and other Australian workers using data from Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey (AWIRS) 1995. There are several areas in which Indigenous workers particularly need active and informed representation within the industrial relations system and relevant statutory framework. The poor access to maternity/paternity leave, the apparent lack ofcontrol over the working environment and the relatively high incidence of work related injury and illness suggest that as a group, the needs of Indigenous people have not been seriously considered by either unions or policy makers.