Report: Revealing Pessimism Among Young Workforce

In a comprehensive survey conducted by the Young Workers' Lab at UNI Global Union in 2019, workers from Australia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America shared their experiences and insights into the challenges they face in the workplace. Although direct data from the Australian sector was not available in the current sources, the survey shed light on recurring themes that young workers internationally grapple with.

One such theme is precarious employment, with many young workers finding themselves in temporary, part-time, or casual contracts, leading to reduced job security and limited access to benefits. In addition, wage inequality is a significant concern, with younger employees typically earning less than their older counterparts, and wage growth often slow or stagnant.

Another challenge is the lack of union representation among young workers, which can result in weaker bargaining power for fair pay and conditions. This is exacerbated by underemployment and overqualification, with many young workers, particularly migrants and graduates, struggling to find positions that match their education and skills.

Poor working conditions and exploitation, mental health and stress, barriers to career progression, and difficulties accessing job opportunities, training, and career development pathways are other recurring themes highlighted in the survey. Instances of exploitation, lack of regulatory oversight, and vulnerability to abuse, especially in sectors with lower union density, were reported in various reports.

Workers in the United Kingdom expressed frustration with the quality of work, which often had to be rushed, and lamented that pay progression was not keeping pace with inflation, particularly for young workers. Poor IT infrastructure was another common complaint in the United Kingdom. In addition, workers expressed frustration with generational change and limited knowledge sharing.

In Latin America, workers reported feeling demoralized due to the constant need to retrain and expressed anxiety about the rise of digitalization and its consequences for decent work. Frustration mounted over low pay and high rents, and workers pressed to reject sexual harassment, which they reported as a prevalent part of daily life in a male-dominated society rife with gender stereotypes.

Managers in Latin America were unwilling to accommodate workers' private lives, like the need to see a doctor, and abuses of power by management led to unhealthy relationships between workers and managers in Australia. Workers in Australia also reported working on Sundays without added pay and expressed a desire to learn and aspire to provide better work that was not being heard and facilitated properly by managers.

Finally, workers in the United Kingdom sought advice on how to be better at their jobs but didn't know who to turn to. The survey received 1,700 participants who voted on 15,000 times on one question: What are the biggest challenges you are currently facing in relation to work? The survey results underscore the need for continued dialogue and action to address the challenges faced by young workers worldwide.

The survey conducted by the Young Workers' Lab revealed that one key theme affecting international young workers is the impact of technology on mental health and stress, particularly in relation to the fast-pace of work and the lack of adequate IT infrastructure.
In the realm of health and wellness, the survey identified fitness and exercise as an important factor in workplace-wellness, with many young workers expressing a desire to learn more about incorporating these practices into their work lives.
Science and science education emerged as essential for addressing the challenges faced by young workers, with many workers in Latin America expressing anxiety about the rise of digitalization and the need for ongoing retraining.
Union representation and collective bargaining were identified as crucial elements for addressing issues such as precarious employment, wage inequality, and poor working conditions, with the absence of these mechanisms leading to unhealthy relationships between workers and managers in both Australia and Latin America.