Immigrant Employees in Hotels

By Caroline Alcorso

Immigrant workers from non-English speaking countries have had a strong foothold in the accommodation industry in Australia, making up one fifth of the workforce in 2001.

There are over 22000 employees in NSW hotels, many of them in four and five star city hotels owned by global hospitality chains.

Despite the longstanding presence of NESB people in the industry, their employment pattern remains in the "back of house" areas, with almost all managerial positions held by Anglo-Australian males.

Alcorso looks into two large Sydney hotels and examines how and why this has come about.

(Labour & Industry. vol. 14, no.1, August 2003)