TUC launches anti-racism initiative

An anti-racism task force made up of senior leaders from across the trade union movement and civil society was launched at last month’s TUC Congress.

The group will be engaging with Black and minority ethnic (BME) workers about the everyday racism they experience, particularly at work, and set out action that is needed to address structural discrimination and disadvantage. The task force, led by NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach, will then develop an action plan for change across UK workplaces.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said that coronavirus has exposed the huge inequalities BME women and men face at work — with many forced to shoulder greater risk during the crisis. 

She said: “BME workers are hugely overrepresented in undervalued, low-paid and casualised jobs, with fewer rights and no sick pay. During the pandemic many BME people have paid for these poor working conditions with their lives.”

She added: “Our new anti-racism task force will listen to BME people and take action to dismantle the barriers they face at work, in wider society — and in trade unions themselves.” 

Roach said the task force “will be unapologetic in calling out racial injustice and institutional racism wherever it exists”.

https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/article-listing/dr-patrick-roach-will-lead-antiracism-task-force.html

https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/bme-workers-have-been-asked-shoulder-more-risk-during-pandemic-says-tuc