The attacks on migrants are not confined to the Government however. The Labour Opposition claims that immigration is too high and companies should be deterred from employing foreign workers. The far right parties have always blamed unemployment and cuts in services on immigration – and now it seems that all major parties are adding to these electoral machine-rooted efforts to whip up scapegoating. It may be, in part, a response to the rise of UKIP but the major parties' collusion in the demonisation of migrants is dangerous and irresponsible.
RAPAR condemns all statements against migrants made by any political party. We do not blame migrants for the strains on public services or the level of unemployment. Migrants to the UK are subjected to very stringent checks before they are allowed to either work or to claim any benefits whatsoever and refugees are left on meagre payments, and made to stay where they are placed – including imprisoned in detention centres – until their asylum applications are decided.
It is the Coalition Government - not migrants - who have set out to destroy the public services that generations of workers have fought for: social housing, education, the NHS, public baths and libraries. It will take a united fightback to resist the cuts to these services and legislation like the bedroom tax which may soon lead to people losing their homes.
We are pleased that Manchester Trades Union Council has made a public statement criticising attacks on migrants. We also welcome the many community and trade union campaigns set up to resist the Bedroom Tax, the new Universal Credit currently being piloted in the North West, and cuts in jobs and public services. This week, the Manchester Evening News launched its own “Ditch the Bedroom Tax” campaign highlighting the cruelty of a legislation which, amongst other things, will force many disabled people and their carers to live apart.
Evictions, destitution, food handouts, detention and severely restricted benefits have been the norm for many years for refugees who have sought asylum in the UK. Now, as a result of the Bedroom Tax and the Universal Credit system, social housing tenants will be threatened with eviction. Increasing numbers of people are having to use food banks in order to feed their families. And there are even suggestions that the Azure card, given to people seeking asylum (instead of money) to buy food from supermarkets, will be extended to unemployed people.
There is a very real chance that the pernicious system which successive governments have spent years perfecting in order to “control” refugees will be extended to unemployed and low paid workers throughout the UK.
RAPAR is based in Manchester, a multi-cultural city, and we are committed to building unity between all workers and defending us all against any attempts to divide and rule. Migrants must not be used as scapegoats for the financial crisis and the failed austerity policies of this government.