MPs back Usdaw campaign to keep ESOL lessons free for migrant workers

More than 45 MPs have backed Usdaw’s campaign to keep English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses free for migrant workers in the retail sector.

The MPs have signed an Early Day Motion tabled by Labour MP Helen Jones opposing proposals to charge low paid workers up to £400 to take language courses designed to aid integration into their workplaces and broader communities.

ESOL courses are currently offered to migrant workers keen to sharpen their language skills but the Learning and Skills Council have announced changes to funding which means low paid retail workers will have to find up to £400 to get an ESOL qualification.

Usdaw’s network of Union Learning Reps have enabled thousands of migrant workers to access free ESOL classes that have clear economic benefits and help tackle social division, racism and the influence of extremists like the BNP.

“Making sure migrant workers can access free ESOL courses is about much more than allowing work colleagues to communicate better,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. “It’s about promoting mutual respect and understanding as well as tackling the evils of racism and social division.

“Usdaw is clear this cut in funding is a mistake because the reality is many migrant workers are low paid and asking them to find hundreds of pounds for a course will prohibit them from signing up.

“Improving language skills at no cost is without doubt one of the keys to fully integrating migrant workers into their workplaces and also into the wider community in which they and their family live.”

The union has also attracted support from retail and distribution businesses where migrant workers can often form a significant percentage of the workforce.

“Usdaw has already had assurances from big players that they support our campaign because they see the clear benefits to their business from a fully integrated workforce.” says John Hannett. “Aside from the obvious health and safety benefits companies where ESOL has been offered report much reduced staff turnover rates which can save businesses millions in training new starters.

“Many in the business community already support ESOL students by providing time off for them to study and report that the improved teamwork boosts their profitability in the intensely competitive retail sector.”

Notes to Editors:

On the 18th October, the Learning and Skills Council announced its intention to change the funding for ESOL – to restrict full fee remission (i.e. free tuition) to those on Working Families Tax Credits. The rest would have to pay a £300–£400 tuition fee.

• Only 3% of migrant workers claim Working Families Tax Credit.
• 78% of migrant workers earn £4.50 to £5.99 per hour, which means the tuition fee will be beyond the reach of most migrant workers.

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

What employers say:

However, once the workers started their ESOL courses and gained confidence with the language, they were able to pick up on banter, idioms and nuances. They found it much easier to get on with the drivers. Relationships are now as cordial as they can be. Site manager Paul Walker said: “We were so impressed with the impact ESOL courses have had; we’ve expanded the classes to include everyone on site in a range of learning opportunities.”

At TDG in Rugby, there are a lot of employees from ethnic minority groups. There were no serious racial tensions, but people from different groups tended to keep to themselves. That is until they got involved in the learning programme and found themselves working closely together on their courses. “There has been a huge difference in colleague relationships, with people cheerful and chatty and mixing freely with each other as they go about their work”, says HR Manager Sharon Lee. “We’ve got all sorts of ethnic groups here and since the courses started it really works.”

What readers/listeners can do:

• Write a letter to your MP to get them to support Early Day Motion 383, tabled by Helen Jones MP. (Download a model letter at www.usdaw.org.uk/lifelong_learning/resource_library/1165924690_9149.html)
• Telephone your MP on 020 7219 3000 to arrange a meeting.

Visit our web site to find out more about Usdaw, our campaigns and to download our publications www.usdaw.org.uk

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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