A television interview with a security guard was shockingly interrupted by a racist heckler in western Sydney.
SBS Examines hit the streets of St Marys this week to speak to locals about the high unemployment levels in Australia’s Dinka community from South Sudan and the struggles migrants have in finding work.
The Dinka-speaking migrant community has a 7.8 per cent rate of unemployment, almost twice the national 4.2 per cent rate.
The episode interviewed two men who have degrees from Australian universities but are still looking for work in their preferred fields years later.
Bol Kuol, who came to Australia as a refugee, said he applied for 73 jobs, but not once had he been called for an interview.
But as he spoke, an angry man interrupted from off-camera, saying ‘We’re not going to stop talking when you’re talking that s***, man.’
Mr Bol appeared to be visibly shocked and upset by the comments.
‘We were here before all of that. Why don’t you ask him what he gets when he comes to Australia,’ the heckler added.
Bol Kuol (pictured) applied for 73 jobs but wasn’t called in for a single interview
‘A f***** house, car, money, job. They’re taking everything from us, and you’re worried about their black a***s?’
The heckler was called out by many viewers who said the comments made them ‘ashamed to be Australian’.
Others urged for SBS to identify him.
‘Disgraceful. Makes me ashamed to be Australian. So sorry you (had to) experience this racism Bol. We need to do and be better,’ one viewer wrote.
Another added: ‘Not surprising unfortunately. Poor man didn’t deserve that barrage of ignorance and hate! Wishing him well now and for his future.’
A third wrote: ‘More people need to see this. It was the Arabs in the 00s, the Asians in the 90s, and the Europeans in the 70s and 80s.
‘The target changes but the hate is the same.’
Mr Bol moved to Australia as a child with his family as refugees in 2003.
‘My family was unsafe (in South Sudan) and there was a lack of opportunities as well,’ he said.
He has a degree in social science, majoring in sociology, but instead works as a security guard as he can’t find a job in his field.
‘For six years now, I’ve been looking online, applying everywhere … if you don’t know anyone who is working in your profession, it’s very hard to get in,’ he said.
‘I’m not alone. There’s too many people out there looking for a job as well.’
Despite the continual setbacks, Mr Bol hasn’t given up on finding a job in his preferred field of sociology.
‘I’m still hopeful someone will contact me and say ‘We are interested in you’.
‘So I’m still very optimistic. That’s what keeps me going.’
Other viewers wished Mr Bol well.
‘It’s a huge achievement to study for a degree in a country where you arrive as a refugee. Hopefully someone will recognise all you’ve overcome and give you a shot,’ one wrote.
‘Your life experience is valuable, too. In the meantime, good you can work in other fields. Good luck!’
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