Lack of English proficiency is associated with the characteristics of work- related injury and recovery cost in the Victorian working population

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-752
Author(s):  
Amanda K. Sampson ◽  
Behrooz Hassani-Mahmooei ◽  
Alex Collie

BACKGROUND: Migrant workers have been identified in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia as a particularly vulnerable working population with a higher risk of work-related injury and mortality compared to non-migrant workers. Lack of English language proficiency is associated with an increased risk of work-related injury. Whether lack of English proficiency influences post-injury recovery or return to work outcomes remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: Using administrative data from a population based workers’ compensation dataset in the state of Victoria, Australia, we aimed to examine work-related injury rates, worker characteristics and compensation outcomes in workers who were not proficient in English. We hypothesized that the use of an interpreter service would be associated with a poorer post-injury recovery profile and worse return to work outcomes. METHODS: WorkSafe Victoria accepted non-fatal claims for injuries and illnesses reported between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2012 by workers aged 15 to 74 (n = 402, 828 claims) were analysed. Consistent with prior research, we selected “use of an interpreter service” as the indicator of English language proficiency. The total and categorical compensable cost of recovery was used as recovery outcomes. RESULTS: Of these claims, 16,286 (4%) involved the use of an interpreter service (LOTE workers). Our analysis revealed that Victorian injured LOTE workers have significantly different demographic, occupational and injury characteristics compared to non-LOTE injured workers. Furthermore, we present novel evidence that LOTE status was associated with poorer long-term injury outcomes, observed as a greater healthcare utilisation and larger paid income benefits, after controlling for occupation, employment status and injury type compared to non-LOTE injured workers. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that English language proficiency is associated not only with the risk of work-related injury but also to the long-term recovery outcomes. We conclude that despite access to language interpreter services, injured LOTE workers experience English language proficiency dependent, and injury severity independent, recovery barriers which need to be overcome to improve long term recovery outcomes.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
C. MONSINGH DANIEL

The English Language holds primacy in several levels of employment. This has drawn appeal towards the language as a valuable tool towards having an edge in ones skill set. Capitalizing on the image that English builds for ones employability and career advancement has become a trend set by employer and employee alike. It does indeed have its appeal in a global market, but its demand is due to the inability of educational institutions to provide verifiable and considerable output in students who are proficient in the English Language. Therefore the search for candidates with quality English skills is rather sparse in number. Attempts are of course made by academicians to change this reality but not to the level of a massive turnabout.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arati Prabhu ◽  
Prachi Wani

The study is undertaken to understand the importance of English language skills in the Indian hospitality industry, and the gaps therein. It studies the challenge as it exists in Pune city, and how AISSMS College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology has attempted to address the issue(s). The study aims at gathering primary information by means of questionnaires. It sheds light on the gap between existing and desired standards of English proficiency. It also highlights the attempts by the three important stakeholders in order to address the issue. Though, attempts are made from the industry, teachers and students, it is recognized that joint efforts need to be made to tackle the problem collectively and from all sides. It is an urgent calling for innovative teaching learning practices and encouraging sound develop initiatives and commitment. The primary data is across the cross section of Pune hoteliers, teachers and students of the college. The findings reflect the importance of English as the universal medium of communication, and its importance in rendering quality service and importantly.


Author(s):  
B. Mehta ◽  
J. Szymonifka ◽  
S. A. Dey ◽  
I. Y. Navarro-Millan ◽  
S. V. Grassia ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimy H. L. Tran ◽  
Danny Liew ◽  
Rosemary S. C. Horne ◽  
Joanne Rimmer ◽  
Gillian M. Nixon

AbstractGeographic variation of paediatric tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy, (A/T) has been described since the 1930s until today but no studies have investigated the factors associated with this variation. This study described the geographical distribution of paediatric A/T across the state of Victoria, Australia, and investigated area-level factors associated with this variation. We used linked administrative datasets capturing all paediatric A/T performed between 2010 and 2015 in Victoria. Surgery data were collapsed by patient residence to the level of Local Government Area. Regression models were used to investigate the association between likelihood of surgery and area-level factors. We found a 10.2-fold difference in A/T rates across the state, with areas of higher rates more in regional than metropolitan areas. Area-level factors associated with geographic variation of A/T were percentage of children aged 5–9 years (IRR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01–1.14, P = 0.03) and low English language proficiency (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90–0.99, P = 0.03). In a sub-population analysis of surgeries in the public sector, these factors were low maternal educational attainment (IRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.16, P < 0.001) and surgical waiting time (IRR 0.99635 95% CI 0.99273–0.99997, P = 0.048). Identifying areas of focus for improvement and factors associated with geographic variation will assist in improving equitable provision of paediatric A/T and decrease variability within regions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (262) ◽  
pp. 97-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J. Ladegaard

AbstractMany people in developing countries are faced with a dilemma. If they stay at home, their children are kept in poverty with no prospects of a better future; if they become migrant workers, they will suffer long-term separation from their families. This article focuses on one of the weakest groups in the global economy: domestic migrant workers. It draws on a corpus of more than 400 narratives recorded at a church shelter in Hong Kong and among migrant worker returnees in rural Indonesia and the Philippines. In sharing sessions, migrant women share their experiences of working for abusive employers, and the article analyses how language is used to include and exclude. The women tell how their employers construct them as “incompetent” and “stupid” because they do not speak Chinese. However, faced by repression and marginalisation, the women use their superior English language skills to get back at their employers and momentarily gain the upper hand. Drawing on ideologies of language as the theoretical concept, the article provides a discourse analysis of selected excerpts focusing on language competence and identity construction.


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