IWW: Migrant Rights Are Workers Rights!

We would like to thank each and everyone, from the organisers to the participants, who took part in a successful migrant workers event in Belfast at the weekend.

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in conjunction with the Pan African Workers Association (PAWA) would like to thank the staff at the Education and Empowerment Centre for their support throughout the day and Belfast Food Not Bombs for providing food and beverages.

The series of talks, which were held in both Belfast and Derry, formed part of the union's ongoing #EveryWorkerNeedsAUnion campaign. IWW and PAWA workplace representatives and organisers formed part of the discussion in which they listed a host of obstacles they had to address or overcome as migrant workers, in order to challenge issues they faced daily within the workplace.

Speaking following the Belfast afternoon event, one of the participants commented on the days gathering said, "I think it was an important event created in order to begin conversations on the need for workplace organising. The importance of knowing your rights and obtaining training breaks down the fear and isolation felt by many migrant workers. Not only within the health and care setting but other places of employment, as we have heard today."

Another worker said, "Some of the personal testimonies of workers have been harrowing. These voices need to be heard more often and I would like to thank everyone for having the confidence they have in speaking out and calling upon workers to unionise."

A spokesperson for the IWW said "It was a great event to hold, and that was made clear by the level of engagement and the conversations had. Everyone agreed that there is a growing necessity for workers to become more aware of their rights as workers. Events, such as this has to be viewed as just the beginning.

"Workers need to be giving the opportunity and confidence of being empowered by organising and standing up for their rights. We believe that begins by reaching out at events like this and joining a union. You can join the IWW today wherever you work or live to begin that fight back alongside other workers".

Meanwhile in the North West, the IWW extended a special thanks to everyone who took part in the public discussion as Derry played host to a number of conversations on migrant workers rights with grassroots union activists.

Representatives from the Industrial Workers of the World, Pan African Workers Association and Black worker trade union activists added their own voices in highlighting the need migrant workers to organising locally.

You can join the IWW Ireland Branch by clicking on the following link www.onebigunion.ie/join-us