Since Brexit, racism has reportedly risen against migrant workers – even those who have been in the UK for a long time, own property, and are educating their children here.
Immigrants and black or minority ethnic (BME) workers are not only experiencing uncertainty about their future, but also facing racist taunts such as “your time is up”, “go home” or “get deported” (and worse).
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said that more than 3,000 hate crimes were reported between 16-30 June 2016. That’s a 42% increase on the same period the previous year. What’s more, hate crimes reached a peak in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the Saturday after the referendum, with 289 on a single day.
Luke Gittos, lawyer and legal editor, told Channel 4 News that the racism seen in the aftermath of Brexit shows “a small number of individuals are feeling emboldened by this referendum because they’ve interpreted it as support for their views.”
Even nearly two years on, the mood of despair and uncertainty continues, as there still seems to be no clear plan about how the UK leaves the EU.
So what’s being done about it?
Here’s an example of an interesting initiative in Northern Ireland.
The Community Intercultural Programme (CIP) has set up a project to help counter racism and promote migrant rights, called Crossing Borders, Breaking Boundaries.
CIP Chief Executive Stephen Smith will be working with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland in the Republic, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and Ulster University.
MRCI director, Edel McGinley, said: “This is a new and innovative approach to cross-border cooperation that puts workers’ rights at its heart.”
The project is backed by €1m funding from the EU, and is match-funded by Stormont’s Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Affairs in Ireland.
Know your rights
It’s illegal to be discriminated against at work. Race is what’s called a ‘protected characteristic’ under the Equality Act 2010. That means you can’t be treated differently because of your race when it comes to:
- The recruitment process
- Your employment terms and conditions
- The pay and benefits you receive
- What promotion and transfer opportunities are open to you
- Any training you receive
- Being dismissed or made redundant
If you think you’ve been discriminated against because of your race, you have three options:
- Complain direct to the individual or organisation, and attempt to resolve the issue informally
- Try mediation or alternative dispute resolution
- Make a claim at the employment tribunal or court
Why not give us a call and we’ll let you know how we can help.
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