Ep 21 – Radical Chinese workers in Australian history

Throughout Australian history, Chinese workers in Australia have been demonised for their alleged enthusiasm for undercutting white workers and happily embracing terrible working conditions from the 19th century until the present day. Fortunately, these racist myths are precisely that - myths. From the arrival of the first Chinese migrants in the 1840s, Chinese workers in Australia have an extraordinary history of rebelling, resisting, going on strike, and collectively fighting against their employers for better wages and better working conditions. To talk about this amazing history that has been virtually hidden and ignored, we're joined in this episode by Liam Ward, a filmmaker and academic at RMIT University in Melbourne, who has researched and publicised some of the stories of Chinese workers in Australia and their struggles. Find full show notes and links for this episode, including more details about our upcoming day-long People's History festival, at our website - www.peopleshistory.com.au Support us on our new Patreon account here - www.patreon.com/peopleshistoryofaustralia