Educate to communicate

Usdaw is campaigning to keep English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes affordable for migrant workers.

ESOL courses are currently offered to migrant workers free of charge but the Learning and Skills Council has announced changes to funding which means these and other low paid workers will have to find up to £400 to complete a course.

Usdaw's Union Learning Reps (ULRs) have helped thousands of low paid migrant workers to access language courses to improve their English.

Often ULRs get employers to contribute to the cost of the programme by providing some paid release. Most often this is matched time - for each hour of the individual's time, the employer will provide an hour of their 'time'. However, the new proposals will stop this dead.

"Providing ESOL courses is about much more than basic health and safety skills - although this is important," says General Secretary John Hannett. "It's about promoting mutual respect and understanding. It's about tackling racism and social division.

"These changes will shift the burden of paying for ESOL classes onto some of the lowest paid, most vulnerable people in society.

"The figures speak for themselves, only three per cent of migrant workers claim Working Families Tax Credit and 78 per cent of these workers earn £4.50 to £5.99 per hour, which means the tuition fee will be beyond the reach of most of them.

"Usdaw wants to ensure that there is affordable access to ESOL for low paid migrant workers and wants a fairer way of providing free tuition for ESOL."

Language lesson

Gabriela Jencova knows more than most the importance of free English classes.

The 25 year-old moved to the UK two years ago from the Czech Republic and started work for Littlewoods Shop Direct Group at the Raven Mill site in Chadderton, Greater Manchester.

"I enrolled on an ESOL course almost straightaway and it has helped me settle down very well in Manchester and in my job," said Gabriela. "I was taught some English at school back home in the Czech Republic but only enough to get by. When I first came to England I would listen and try to speak. My union Learning Rep told me about the ESOL classes running in the Learning Pad at work and encouraged me to enrol. The two-hour classes ran for 13 weeks, my English improved a great deal and I met new people from other countries.

"I fully support Usdaw's campaign. ESOL worked for me and I'm sure other migrant workers will be able to communicate much better if they are encouraged and able to attend English classes."

What you can do:

• Write a letter to your MP to get them to support Early Day Motion 383, tabled by Helen Jones MP. More than100 MPs have already signed it.
• If you can get your site manger to write a joint letter with you, that would be much more powerful.
• Telephone your MP on 020 7219 3000 to arrange a meeting.

Visit our campaigns area of the web site to find out more and to download our publications.

You can also ring our helpline 0845 6060640 and speak to an official from your local Usdaw office.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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