USDAW opposes plan to charge migrants for English lessons

Unions are fighting to keep English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses free for migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers, following an announcement by the Learning and Skills Council regarding changes to the funding of ESOL courses.

The changes mean that, from later this year, free tuition will be restricted to those receiving Working Families Tax Credit. Others will have to pay a tuition fee of £300 to £400.

Shopworkers' union USDAW points out that only 3% of migrant workers claim Working Families Tax Credit - but 78% of such workers earn between £4.50 and £5.99 an hour, meaning that the fee will be beyond the reach of most of them.

ESOL courses are currently offered to migrant workers keen to sharpen their language skills, and USDAW says its network of union learning reps has enabled thousands to attend the free classes - which have benefits beyond the obvious economic ones.

"Making sure migrant workers can access free ESOL courses is about much more than allowing work colleagues to communicate better," said USDAW general secretary John Hannett. "It's about promoting mutual respect and understanding as well as tackling the evils of racism and social division."

The union has enrolled the support of more than 45 MPs in its campaign to keep the courses free for migrant workers in the retail sector. The MPs have signed an Early Day Motion tabled by Labour MP Helen Jones, opposing the proposals to charge low-paid workers for language courses designed to aid integration into their workplaces and broader communities.

In a separate move, Trades Unions For Refugees - a new body supported by unions including the NUJ media union and FBU firefighters' union - launched a campaign last month to defend refugee and asylum rights to education.