'United we are stronger'

'Justice for the migrant workers' - a composite motion supporting migrant workers - attracted passionate and widespread support across the floor at UNISON's national delegate conference on Tuesday.

Queues of delegates lined up to offer their support to the motion, which called for UNISON to work with other trade unions, anti-racist organisations and community groups to challenge and oppose the far right wherever they organise. 

Maria Alberts (pictured), introducing the motion on behalf of the NEC, said: “The voices of hate and division can be very loud.

Our members have been targeted, facing violence, assaults in the workplace and at home. And these attacks have come from the government too. Its recent draconian changes aren’t just an attack on our migrant workers, but an attack on all of us. 

“I feel so passionate about this issue because so much of what is happening reminds me of what happened to the Windrush generation. The experience of people coming here to help in a time of need faced a lot of racism and discrimination.  

“My own grandfather was a doctor from Jamaica. Without him and so many other migrant workers, the NHS wouldn't be what it is today and nor would the trade union movement.  Because when they met racism they organised.”

Maria said that a member had told her that to improve the lives of migrant workers the certificate of sponsorship must be decoupled from the employer. The indefinite leave to remain should stay at five years and migrant workers should be given us fair pay. 

“I am so proud that my union UNISON has become their union. We need to use our solidarity and collectivism to overcome the two-tier system facing migrant workers.  Their rights are our rights.”

One delegate, a first time speaker, added that what is needed is a national campaign that brings migrant workers together across all sectors. 

“Too often migrant workers are spoken about as though they are passive victims who need to be rescued. That is not our story. Migrant workers are organising, migrant workers are leading. Over the last two years, we have seen extraordinary determination from migrant workers in this union and beyond.

“Migrant workers are not waiting for change, migrant workers are fighting for it.”

Aneesha Squadra, speaking in support on behalf of Camden UNISON, added: “When the government states high salary thresholds that exclude the majority of migrant workers, it actively pushes migrants into the informal economy with exploitation and nefarious gig economy with zero-hour living. 

“These tyrannical and capricious pay thresholds and strict visa requirements operate as modern day slavery, tying legal migrant workers’ survival to one employer, which strips them of the right to walk away from abuse, wage restraints and no recourse to public funds or protection.” 

Mark Chiverton from South East region, said :“This is one of the most important issues that we're going to be debating over the week. It is vitally important that we clearly and unequivocally demonstrate our total support for our migrant members and migrant workers up and down the country. 

“Almost all our migrant workers are in health and social care sector. All are scandalously underpaid for the vitally important work that they do in building and sustaining our public services. They can face deportation, discrimination, bullying and scapegoating and government proposals to change settlement routes are totally unacceptable.” 

The motion was passed unanimously.