Queensland Govt. encouraging employers to hire Muslims

Australian News.Net
Tuesday 12th June, 2007 (ANI)

Melbourne, June 12 : In a bid to encourage employers to hire Muslims, the Australian Queensland Government has given a sum of 19,100 dollars to refugee settlement agency Assisting Collaborative Community Employment Support Services (ACCES Services) to debunk the "myths" surrounding the faith.

The government had to take this step as employers started overlooking Muslim workers, apparently to avoid making special arrangements for their prayers or change the canteen menu.

"I think it's mostly misunderstanding around how often people are required to pray and those types of issues," The Australian quoted ACCES Services spokesman Michael Krafft, as saying.

"We had one employer believe they would have to change the entire workplace because the canteen wouldn't be able to cater for them," he added.

Interestingly, he pointed out that the fear is probably a "little bit greater in job seekers" than in the employers.

"Often we have people who won't apply for a job because they believe their dress might mean they are discriminated against," Krafft said.

With the ACCES Services, based in Woodridge, south of Brisbane, having a large employment services arm, the program is expected to benefit over 100 unemployed Muslim people.

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