Simulation Exercise

Simulation Exercise: 30 mins

In this simulation exercise trainees are confronted with the realities of discrimination in the labour market. The exercise addresses the issues of different salaries for the same job, discrimination in the workplace and policies of low pay for female and younger workers.

WHAT	·         The trainer asks for 6 volunteers for a simulation exercise. He explains to the participants that they are workers and have to do some work for their employer, Mr. Javed. ·         Mr. Javed states that all will be paid when doing a good job for him. ·         He hands out the labels (containing ethnicity, religion, sex and age) at random, one to each participant. ·         He explains that he wants each worker to copy a paper square model and cut out a paper square exactly as given. ·         The workers complete their task (5 min). Mr. Javed asks the people to line up to be paid. He pays each person according to their age and sex as laid out in the list of workers’ wage rates. He counts the money out aloud so everyone can hear and all are aware of how much each of the others is getting. ·         When workers start to question or complain, he gives brief “reasons”, but avoids being drawn into discussion. Mr. Javed will have to use his own judgement about how far to go. ·         The trainer asks participants to be seated. He fixes the list of “workers’ wage rates” on the board to confirm that different salaries have been paid for the same job. ·         The facilitator gives everyone time to calm down and to get out of role, and then sit in a circle for the debriefing. Proposed questions:                -  How did it feel to receive more (or less) than other workers even though everyone did exactly the same task?                -  Why did some people receive more (or less) than others? Why did this happen?
HOW WELL	Group understands discrimination based on age, ethnicity, religion and sex