May Kotsakis

For many Filipinos, they leave the Philippines and look for jobs in other countries as a last resort. There are more than 27% of Philippines labour force who are unemployed, many are under employed even if more than ten percent of the Philippine population are overseas.

Many Filipinos have no choice but to leave their families and friends to earn a living and enable them to support their families amidst loneliness uncertainty for a good job and good working conditions in their host countries.

Australia is becoming a favorite destination among Filipinos as they hear less news about exploitation and abuse of workers here.  Entering Australia is not easy.  There are many requirements and qualifications that only educated and experienced once passed the scrutiny and get visas.

When they come to Australia, they hope for a good job. A job that will allow them to work hard in return for fair pay and respect.

Many people from the Philippines have found work cleaning our shopping centres, where they must work very hard to make sure the centres are clean. But in return they are put under huge pressure by their employers in return for pay that is not enough to support themselves and their families.

Many must work second jobs just to survive.

The Clean Start campaign is fighting to win a better deal for every cleaner in our shopping centres, so that they can support themselves and their families.

We support Clean Start, and we support a fair deal for our cleaners.