from YAPRap October 2006
by Armina Soemino, YAPA youth member 
I was 15 when I first started working and the idea in itself was incredibly exciting. I had so many thoughts going through my head, like that I was taking my first steps to becoming independent and responsible, I'd be learning new skills and gaining experience and best of all I'd be earning my own money instead of having to leech off Mum. But I never once thought about what I was entitled to or how much I should earn. When I thought of 'awards' it meant getting recognised for academic achievement in school.
Most young people have similar innocent thoughts when they begin work. We are enthusiastic and willing to learn. We are taught to trust adults such as parents and teachers and assume that the same sort of trust can be put in our employers. We see our employers as people who are there to guide us. It is for these reasons that we don't think we would be taken advantage of or treated unfairly.
That's why the availability of new web-based tools to educate young people on their employment rights is so important [see below]. This is an area in which we are severely lacking information and it's great that it has been packaged in such an easy way.
As much as the new workplace laws may be called WorkChoices, I feel that young people would have very little choice in the hours, shorter notices, more demands and decreased wages they would face as a result of an 'agreement' between themselves and their employers. As a young person, and probably one that is more confident than most, I would be intimidated by having to negotiate my work conditions and may not even understand what's being asked of me. Although my boss was nice enough, when I think about sitting in front of him with his years of experience, wise demeanour and stately attitude, attempting to make demands about things such a penalty rates and overtime, the idea overwhelms me.
But I know that as a young person I have a lot to offer and will only continue to offer my skills and knowledge in the future if they are valued fairly today. And a great step in making us feel valued is the announcement that young people will still be protected and not only that, we'll be able to find out how to protect ourselves as well.
[Armina gave this speech at the NSW Government's recent announcement of draft laws to protect under 18s from unfair dismissal]
More information
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Look and Listen
audio download and streaming audio and video presentations of workplace rights information
www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/about/lookandlisten -
Rights & Responsibilities » Young Workers
www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/rights/young -
Do you want fair pay with that?
YAPA's work to protect young people's rights at work
www.yapa.org.au/yapa/policy/negotiate.php
