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Solidarity with Migrant Workers

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Submitted by mick duncan on June 27, 2007 - 10:13am.
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Download the pamphlet from here or order printed copies from the online store.

Solidarity with Migrant Workers. Facts, experiences, debate.

Introduction: Over 190 million people are living as migrants around the world. Poverty, much of it caused by the economic policies of rich capitalist countries, is driving people to look for work abroad.
Migrant workers in the UK do jobs that are often unpleasant and sometimes tough. But these jobs — from cleaning on the Underground, to caring for the sick and elderly — are all essential.
Some migrant workers are forbidden by law from working and are forced into the black economy, where they are prey to ruthless gangmasters and agencies. But even when migrant workers are working in the UK legally, plugging the gaps where there are labour shortages in agriculture or construction, they still suffer extremely low rates of pay, poor health and safety standards, long hours, excessive workload and bullying.
The trade union movement is now beginning to take on the essential task of organising migrant workers, using strength, numbers and experience to unionise and demand strong legal rights for all migrant workers.
They face a complex organising job — overcoming language barriers, building trust, allaying fears of reprisal from bullying introduction employers, working in areas where there is a complete lack of legal rights. That is why the self-organisation of migrant workers is so key. That is why our solidarity is so essential.
This No Sweat pamphlet is aimed at antisweatshop activists, trade unionists, student unionists who want to help. It makes the political case for solidarity with migrant workers as well as providing basic information and ideas for organising.

We need to stop this 21st century slavery! We say:

  • Unity between workers.
  • The right to work and full labour rights for all, independent of migration status.
  • Equal treatment for agency and temporary workers.
  • Unions should not merely recruit migrant workers, but help them organise and define their own demands.
  • Benefit rights for all, independent of migration status.
  • Solidarity with all migrants worldwide.
  • No one is illegal!

Move this motion in your union branch!

Submitted by mark osborn on July 19, 2007 - 7:46pm.

This branch notes that:

1. Migrant workers in the UK do jobs that are often unpleasant and sometimes tough. But these jobs – from cleaning on the Undergound, to caring for the sick and elderly – are all essential.
2. Some migrant workers are forced into illegal work under ruthless
gangmasters and agencies. Even those working legally plugging gaps in
agriculture or construction suffer extremely low pay, poor health and safety
standards, long hours, excessive workload and bullying.
3. The trade union movement is now beginning to take on the essential task
of organising migrant workers, overcoming language barriers, building trust,
allaying fears of reprisal from bullying employers, working in areas where
there is a complete lack of legal rights. That is why the self-organisation
of workers and our solidarity is essential.
4. No Sweat, an activist, campaigning organisation, fighting sweatshop
bosses, in solidarity with workers worldwide, has produced a pamphlet making the political case for solidarity with migrant workers, with fact and
figures, case studies from the trade union movement and ideas for
organising. No Sweat has the backing of PCS, GMB, Unison, CWU, RMT, NUT, NUS and others in the UK.

This branch resolves to buy ____ copies of the new ‘Solidarity with migrant
workers pamphlet’ at £1 per copy (discount trade union price, postage free).