John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “These national demonstrations are welcome and timely reminders that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, particularly in this challenging period as the UK exits the EU. We must stand up against racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and send a clear message to migrants and refugees that they are welcome here.
“It is deeply worrying that some people took last year’s vote to leave the EU as licence to behave in a racist way, carrying out acts of intimidation and hate towards ethnic minority communities. On Saturday thousands of people will come together to show their solidarity with and support for those colleagues and communities facing abuse and hate.
“Migrant workers make a valuable contribution to our economy, culture and wider society. They share the same common goals as any other worker – the right to a decent day’s pay for a decent day’s work, the right to work in safe environments and the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work. Given this, the Government’s refusal to immediately guarantee EU nationals their right to live and work in our country is entirely unacceptable.
“We were also shocked by the Government abandoning the Dubb’s amendment. Their premature closure of the scheme to bring unaccompanied child refugees to the UK is both callous and shameful. The UK has a long and proud tradition of providing a home for people fleeing persecution, torture and war. It is not only the right thing to do but it is an important part of our international obligations
“Usdaw reps have for many years been providing support for members who face racially motivated violence, threats and abuse and they will continue to organise and promote anti-racism campaigns in workplaces and wider society.”
Notes for Editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
National demonstrations on Saturday 18 March 2017, UN Anti-Racism Day:
- Cardiff: 11am, Grange Gardens
- Glasgow: 11am, Holland St
- London: 12pm, BBC, Portland Place
http://www.standuptoracism.org.uk/national-demo-refugees-migrants-welcome-stand-racism-islamophobia-anti-semitism/
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion