Labour Rights: Behind the Seams
After more than 2 decades Oxfam’s school program has closed. Our commitment to tackling poverty and empowering communities continues. The resources on these pages will no longer be updated.
– September 2019.
Why do people work? Does it matter whether they are treated fairly? What are labour rights anyway?
These are some of the questions explored in this interactive student resource. Utilising examples from the global labour rights movement, students explore global standards for the rights of workers, and how these can be moved from policy to practice.
With unique examples taken from Oxfam’s decades of experience in this sector, students are challenged to learn, think and act on work and wages both locally and globally.
This is a resource for Year 9 and 10 Geography, Economics and Business, and Civics and Citizenship exploring the topics of: labour rights and responsibilities of participants in the global workplace; the impact of business decisions, trade and consumption on the wellbeing of people and places where goods are produced; and the concept of fair and ethical consumption and trade.
It includes five case studies from Asia and Australia, and student activities after each sub-section.
The resource can be taught either as a whole, or as a single or combination of themes and case studies. See the teacher’s note for further information related to: curriculum links; resource requirements; further information suggestions; and suggested answers to the student activities in the resource.
RESOURCES
Labour Rights: Behind the Seams student workbook
Labour Rights: Behind the Seams teacher notes
Oxfam Shop Producer Partners presentation
CURRICULUM LINKS
This resource contributes towards achievement of the following Australian Curriculum requirements:
Year 9
Geography
- The ways that places and people are interconnected with other places through trade in goods and services, at all scales (ACHGK067)
- The effects of the production and consumption of goods on places (ACHGK068)
Economics and Business
- How do participants in the global economy interact? (Key inquiry question);
- Why and how participants in the global economy are dependent on each other (ACHEK039)
- What are the responsibilities of participants in the workplace and why are these important? (Key inquiry question);
- The changing roles and responsibilities of participants in the global workplace (ACHEK042)
- Reflect on the intended and unintended consequences of economic and business decisions (ACHES049)
Civics and Citizenship
- How do citizens participate in an interconnected world? (Key inquiry question)
- Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts (ACHCS089)
Year 10
Geography
- Issues affecting development of places and their impact on human wellbeing (ACHGK078)
- The role of international and national government and non-government organisations’ initiatives in improving human wellbeing (ACHGK081)
Economics and Business
- Factors that influence major consumer and financial decisions and the short-and long-term consequences of these decisions (ACHEK053)
- Reflect on the intended and unintended consequences of economic and business decisions (ACHES061)
Civics and Citizenship
- Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts (ACHCS102)
