Migrant Workers and UNISON.

Migrant workers represent an increasingly significant part of our workforce. Yet they are under represented in Trade Union membership and structures. UNISON is committed to supporting migrant workers who can be amongst the most vulnerable and exploited workers in Northern Ireland. Organising migrant workers needs to be grounded in employment rights and articulated around campaigns for a regime based on the Migrant Worker Convention.

 

In his comprehensive research on Migrant Workers, Robbie McVeigh provided some real insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by the Trade union movement in this work (see – ICTU, Migrant workers and their families, a trade union response). The research points out that “Trade unions in Northern Ireland have both the duty and the capacity to organise and represent Migrant Workers.”

 

Most importantly for the Community and Voluntary sector, the report stresses the crucial relationship that needs to be nurtured between the union movement and community and voluntary organisations working directly with migrant workers. “There is already plenty of community organising going on within different migrant worker communities. Any trade union activity therefore, takes place in the context of this existing work.”

 

There are particular needs and sensitivities to be taken into account when approaching newly arrived migrant workers (language, culture, fear factor associated with precarious immigration status, or simply bad union experience from home countries). These mean that contacting migrant workers at their place of work is not always going to be the best solution. Community organisations can provide a safe forum; they also offer support on a wide range of issues (housing, benefits, etc. as well as employment related issues) and a most needed social network. 

 

BME / migrant worker support organisations need to get involved in the Community and Voluntary branch of UNISON to ensure that their concerns are on the agenda and that the interest of migrant workers are always taken into account by their union.

 

Please get in touch with Nathalie if you have any suggestion, contacts, information, etc. that you would like to add (n.donnelly@unison.co.uk (07902044404 / 02890270190 –ext 603) Wed to Fri.)

 

Publications of interest:

 

Migrant workers and their families, a trade union response: ICTU research on Migrant Workers and their Families and the opportunity and challenges faced by the Trade Union movement in organising migrant workers

ICTU, Migrant workers and their families, a trade union response, Dr. Robbie McVeigh

Organising migrant workers – handbook: UNISON branch handbook on organising migrant workers.
Organising migrant workers - handbook

Myths about migrant workers: UNISON myth buster - learn the facts about migrant workers.
Myths about migrant workers

Equality Commission report, 2008.

 http://www.equalityni.org/archive/pdf/ICRMigrantworkersOctober2008.pdf

 UNISON Welfare Information Sheet Support for migrant workers

http://uninet/unison/homepage1.htm

Subscribe to migrant worker information e- bulletin

http://uninet/unison/homepage1.htm