Strategic Migrant Worker Equality Project - Funded by the Department of Social Development (Northern Ireland) - Covers three local Government areas in rural Northern Ireland - Partner sectors include Health and Social Services

Definitions Ethnic Minority Umbrella Term The term “ migrant worker ” refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which he or she is not a national. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families A migrant worker is someone from outside the UK and Ireland who is here to seek or take up work. Department of Employment and Learning 1: EU15/EEA European Union pre-2004 e.g. Portugal 2: A8 Acceded 2004 e.g. Poland 3: A2 Romania and Bulgaria 4: Non EEA Nationals (Work Permits and NEW SYSTEM) 5: Unauthorised Workers

Northern Ireland Migration -Health Worker Migration Northern Ireland -OUTWARD -INWARD - Health Worker Migration Impacts Destination Countries - Health Worker Migration Impacts Source Countries - Treatment of Migrant Workers in Health Sector

Migrant Workers As Service Users - Health Service Interpreting Statistics 1 July 2006 – 30 Sept Map of Non English Speakers -OFMDFM: 20,000 – 30,000 migrant workers in NI - Rural concentrations

Impact on Destination Countries -NHS Skills shortages Nursing / Medicine and other areas -Private Nursing Sector -Health service would collapse without migrant workers -Learning from good practice elsewhere

Problems Faced by Migrant Workers - Employment Rights Abuses (Private sector) - Employment issues (public sector) - Entitlements: restrictions re some civil rights - Increasing restrictions of immigration legislation and practice - Under recognition of language and professional skills -Racism and Prejudice

Immigration Legislation - Increasing restrictions on non EEA nationals - Restrictions on international students - Quality of decision making in Home Office - Civil Rights restrictions - Human Rights Issues

DHSPS Racism Research Hamilton and Betts (2006) An Investigation into the Nature, Extent and Effects of Racist Behaviours Experienced by NI Ethnic Minority Heathcare Staff (Belfast: DHSSPS) -46% of staff suffered racist harassment including 58% of Filipinos and 70% of persons from Arabic decent” -35% racist comments; 31% co-worker unpleasant comments; 31% patients refusing care; 29% unfair criticism - Work colleagues most likely source of harassment (50%) patients (47%)

Racism Supremacism: Belief that one ‘race’ is superior to another; “…conduct or words or practices which disadvantage or advantage people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin” (or nationality) Macpherson Open racism is illegitimate so justification is sought Racism Based on untruths: Not just publicised physical attacks but set of rumours & myths that demonise community: - Myths on employment, economics, Social Security / public funds - Blaming the “migrant other” - Disproportionate reactions to individual behaviour

Animate Research “I would have them as a colleague provided that I was not having to carry that person and spend endless hours training in a position/job.” “Some of those Filipino nurses drive cars to work they can afford them alright” “ Unable to or unwilling to speak English …” “I believe that migrant workers and minority groups are treated more favourably than 'natives'. How well treated are people from this country in theirs?? Why are there posters/ leaflets in my country that I can't read/ understand? Why are there coffee shops specifically for these people?” “Health care for own residents is lacking and poor as it is without added demand on services … whilst I am not racist I feel we have a responsibility to our own residents to provide them with health care before we consider providing services to migrants.” Holder & Khaoury (2005) Racial Attitudes and Prejudice Towards Migrant Workers (Dungannon: Animate)