Indigenous Workers It is a national disgrace that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to have a life expectancy gap of 17 years behind the non-Indigenous population. Indigenous workers are severely disadvantaged in terms of their access to decent jobs as well as to essential services such as education and health. Unions are strongly committed to promoting equality in the workplace and in the broader society for Indigenous Australians. Unions promote the active participation of Indigenous peoples in trade unions so workers can strive together for social justice, equity and fair representation in workplaces. We acknowledge that the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on 13 February 2008 was a significant day in Australian history, and one that was long overdue. While there has been some action to address Indigenous disadvantage recently, unions believe that bridging the gap for Indigenous Australians on life expectancy, employment, health, education and living conditions must remain a major national priority. A large proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face unfair barriers to employment because of a lack of skills, a lack of access to education and because of discrimination. Good jobs with decent wages and conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers is a goal which unions, governments, employers and the whole community must work towards. Key facts Currently, Indigenous Australians are less likely to have a job but if they do, many are paid far less than non-Indigenous workers and have lower job security. The workforce participation rate among the Indigenous population is 43.2%, compared to 65.1% for the entire population. The unemployment rate for Indigenous Australians is 15.5%, three times the national rate. Indigenous workers are among the most vulnerable in the workforce. Many are employed casually or part-time in jobs that have little security or stability. What’s next Unions are calling on the government to properly fund essential services and improve job opportunities by promoting holistic employment and training programs which include access to pre-employment job-readiness training and consistent mentoring services.