Gillard Lends Support To Ethnic Small Business Owners

Gillard Lends Support To Ethnic Small Business Owners

8 January 2010

The Acting Prime Minister Hon Julia Gillard MP today joined with the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) to promote services providing support for small business owners who do not speak English as a first language.

The new Fair Work for Small Business website (www.fairworkforsmallbusiness.com.au) was featured today as a critical resource providing information to small business owners who regularly speak languages other than English.

"For the nearly 30% of small business owners born overseas and who don't speak English as a first language, it is important to have videos available online in other languages, that people can access any time of the day or night," said Jaye Radisich, CEO of COSBOA.

"We want all small business owners to be equipped to comply with the new Fair Work Act, so we have provided translated information to ensure the site is as accessible as possible," Ms Radisich said.

"It is easier for people from a non-English speaking background to learn and understand difficult concepts like workplace relations law in their first language. This is true for members of migrant communities that are newer to Australia such as the Arabic speaking community, or one that's more established like the Cantonese-speaking community."

Workforce Guardian Managing Director Adrienne Unkovich said more and more small business owners were now looking to online for educational information.

"It's vital that Fair Work for Small Business offers content in multiple community languages as many businesses now use the web as a tool for learning. The language launch today seals our commitment to fulfilling the greater community's needs."

Today's event was held at the Landmark Restaurant in Sunnybank, Brisbane, and was supported by the local Chinese business community.

The Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), in partnership with Telstra Business and online workplace law experts Workforce Guardian, developed the new service to help small businesses navigate the new industrial relations laws. The project was funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the Fair Work Education and Information Programme.

MEDIA CONTACT: Anneliese Reichelt (02) 9660 0706 or 0437 807 669

SOURCE: Council of Small Business of Australia