1. Race, racism and the workplace: The changing nature of racism at work – the experience of migrant workers Sonia McKay Working Lives Research Institute London Metropolitan University

2. Immigration controls in the UK  Aliens Act 1905 – Russian revolutionaries and Jews  Passport 1915  From Empire to control  The points ’ based five tiers:  1: Highly skilled and entrepreneurs  2: Skilled with job offers  3: Abandoned – the EU can deliver ‘ cheap ’ labour  4: Students  5: Temporary youth scheme

3. The context  ‘ Migrant workers play a distinct role in capitalism both as a “ reserve army of labour ” and as a means of raising the rate of exploitation. There is nothing new about the idea of a reserve army of labour. In 1845 Federick Engels wrote, “ English manufacture must have, at all times save the brief periods of highest prosperity, an unemployed reserve army of labour, in order to produce the masses of goods required by the market in the liveliest months ’ (Hardy, 2009)

4. Three stories  The cocklepickers – 5 February 2004  The kitchen worker  An accident of history  Serge Serykh, his 21-year-old stepson, his wife Tatiana: From Russia to Glasgow  'It is suicide central here. We are always waiting for the next one to jump.' (Resident, Red Road estate)  As harsh as it sounds though, it will act like a deterrent for other asylum seekers thinking Briton is an easy place to set up shop. I’m fed up of hearing/reading about immigrants and asylum seekers coming here for a better life and then just scrounging off my hard earned tax. If this is what they are faced with when entering the country then maybe they'll think twice about it. ’ (Sarah, London)

5. Responses  Sympathy  Humane conditions for those seeking asylum  Speedier decisions  BUT  ‘There is only so much space’  ‘There are not enough jobs’  ‘Generous’ welfare benefits  We have to look after ‘our own’  British jobs for British workers - Brown  Who is ‘British’

6. The strikes at Lindsey  Union organisation, national agreement but declining membership  Concern over ‘ cheap ’ foreign labour  No contact between UK and Italian unions; No knowledge of the terms and conditions of the Italian workers  British jobs for British workers

7. The reality of work for migrants in the UK  Long working hours – breaches of law  No holiday and sick pay  Low pay  Legal rights ignored  Skills and qualifications not recognised  Unions and migrant workers

8. The challenge for trade unions  Can we have non-racist immigration controls?  Can immigration systems be fairly administered?  Should employers be sanctioned and how?  Can jobs be guaranteed for all who need them and how?  Does protectionism have a place in solidarity?  The contribution of migrants to working class movements  The alternatives – Rosarno or Grunwick