TUC backs calls to oppose government’s immigration reforms

Union delegates have expressed opposition to the government’s immigration reforms, including plans to tighten rules for indefinite leave to remain.

A motion, backed unanimously by the TUC Congress in Brighton, expressed “alarm” that migrant workers are being treated as “second-class citizens in the UK” and warned that the government’s proposals “show our politics have been captured by an atmosphere toxic to all immigration”.

Under the government’s proposed reforms, the qualifying period for ILR would be extended from five to 10 years, with a 15 year wait for certain professions, while also implementing stricter minimum requirements for eligibility.

The motion, passed unanimously by delegates, calls on the TUC to campaign for the removal of all the current immigration reforms “in full”.

It also called on the TUC to campaign against the retrospective application of IRL rules, for the retention of the five-year route to settlement for workers, and for a fair, rights-based visa system for migrant workers.

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Senior vice-president of Unison Debbie Rowden said that the government reforms had “shocked me to the core” and drew a contrast between how bankers will be able to settle in the UK in three years, while public service workers will have to wait 15 years.

She said: “What does this say about the soul of our country, when health and social care is seen as being a low contributor, but bankers as the highest?

“Our power is to use our solidarity and collective voice to fulfil the promise of fairness and justice in this country. [Our] rights were never handed to us. We had to fight for them – and we need to do the same for migrant workers.”

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