Wyndham Council plans to break down language barriers among ethnic ‘insecure workers’

A council in Melbourne’s west – plagued with more than 400 active cases of COVID-19 – is turning its focus to ethnic employees in “insecure work”.

A council in Melbourne’s west – plagued with more than 400 active cases of COVID-19 – will be targeting specific industries where workers are at risk of transmitting the wildly infectious disease.

Wyndham Council has recorded 651 infections, with 412 active. Major abattoir outbreaks at JBS in Brooklyn and Somerville Retail services in Tottenham account for 108 of those active cases.

Mayor Josh Gilligan said the municipality was facing a “real problem” with virus transmission in its workplaces.

He said many residents were in insecure work and feared a financial hit if they did not show up to work.

Wyndham Council is communicating daily with residents who may struggle with the English language.

It comes after Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday emphasised the $1500 hardship payment available to any worker forced to stay home due to displaying symptoms or awaiting COVID-19 test results.

“Our targeted communication approach is not industry-based yet, but what I can say is we will be immediately jumping on this and thoroughly explaining this available payment to employees in insecure work,” Cr Gilligan said.

“This will involve working with support agencies to translate vital government information and emailing out important information to whoever is on our business database.”

The council will be ensuring communication among workers in abattoirs is clear following various outbreaks at Wyndham abattoirs. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Cedar Meats, also in Brooklyn, was the centre of the state’s first major coronavirus outbreak in May where at least 111 – staff and close contacts – became infected.

On top of the many meat processing plants across Wyndham, the municipality was home to more than 140 different ethnic groups.

Cr Gilligan said many residents suffered from a language barrier when trying to comprehend vital government messages, but assured the council was helping to break down those walls.

“We issue out a bulletin to 93,000 households in the six primary languages based off latest census data,” he said.

“We’ve also found targeted Facebook ads with Wyndham specific logos and graphics to be particularly effective and is something we haven’t seen in any other local government community.

“When this pandemic first began we developed an internal database that lists over 350 key community contacts for a broad range of grassroots community groups and networks of community leaders, including 112 number of groups with specific CALD affiliation, and approximately 15 faith leaders and church groups which have strong contacts in CALD communities.

“We then send key information to these community leaders and groups, who then help translate that information through their networks to those who perhaps don’t speak english.”

Face masks will be mandatory for residents living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire from 11.59pm on Wednesday. William West/AFP

While announcing Victoria’s worst day for virus case increases Daniel Andrews said the pattern of Victorians attending work while waiting for a test result was a “commentary on insecure work” and contributed to the spike.

“There is a large proportion of these people who are making these choices because, in their judgment, they‘ll look at their bank balance, they’ll look at the fact that if they don’t work the shift, they won’t get paid for the shift,” he said.

People with COVID-19 and their close contacts will be eligible for a one-off $1500 payment, if they are not eligible for sick leave.

And Mr Andrews urged Victorians to take up the offer.

“People who have, in their own judgment, no choice but to go to work sick or to go to work whilst waiting for a test result. We don’t want people to make those choices. 1800-675-398. Call that number and we will provide you with that support so that you can be at home and do the safe thing — the right thing.”

Mr Andrews told reporters on Wednesday nine in 10 Victorians — 3400 out of 3810 cases — did not isolate and “went about their normal business” despite displaying symptoms between July 7 and 21.

“I’m very unhappy and sad to report that nearly 9 in 10 cases did not self isolate between when they felt sick and when they got tested,” he said.

“That means people have felt unwell and just gone about their business. They have gone out shopping. They have gone to work. They have been at the height of their infectivity. And they have just continued on as usual.”

Mr Andrews said a further 53 per cent did not stay home after having a COVID-19 test and awaiting results.

“Unless we have people who get tested staying at home and isolating until they get their results, then we will not see these numbers come down,” he said.

“They will continue to go up and up. And a six-week shutdown will not be for six weeks. It will run for much longer than that.”

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