T&G SCOTLAND AND CHURCH JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT POLISH WORKERS

T&G Scotland and the Catholic Church in Glasgow have joined forces to recognise the role of migrant workers in the City and raise concern over the abuse of their rights.

T&G Scotland will hold a meeting (in Polish) on Sunday 8, October from 1pm – 3pm at Transport House, 290 Bath Street, Glasgow for Polish workers. The meeting will bring together members of the Polish community in Glasgow to discuss the issues and concerns which they are facing while working and living in Glasgow.

Home Office figures show 32,135 migrant workers are registered in Scotland, two third of which are estimated to be Poles. T&G Scotland has become increasingly concerned about migrant workers’ conditions in Scotland and has won a number of cases on behalf of Polish workers who were in dispute with their employers or had their legal rights violated.

Among the problems uncovered are: abuse of tenancy rights with immediate eviction of workers upon termination of employment; extreme long hours; infringements on pay, rights to paid holidays, statutory sick pay and notice rights; rights to salary slips, and illegal deductions from wages.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow has seen a major influx of Polish worshippers in recent months and Masses in Polish are packed every weekend. The Church is concerned that migrant workers also face a number of challenges outwith the workplace including language, opening bank accounts, religious issues, and issues surrounding accommodation.

Both T&G Scotland and the Archdiocese of Glasgow positively welcome the contribution migrant workers are making to Scotland. The Union is urging Polish workers to join the trade union to ensure that their legal rights as workers are not violated, while the Church is encouraging new arrivals to register with their local parish.

T&G Regional Secretary Mike Brider said:

“T&G Scotland warmly welcomes the role and contribution which migrant workers are making to our economy and communities. However, we have become increasingly concerned about the violation of migrant workers’ rights within and outwith the workplace. We will, therefore, be holding a public meeting in the Polish language to provide information and support for the community. T&G Scotland is extremely grateful for the support of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, and we are both determined to help put an end to the exploitation of migrant workers in our country.”

Archbishop Mario Conti, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow said: “I am delighted to work with the Union to offer support and solidarity to the newly arrived Poles and their families. Their contribution, economically, culturally and spiritually to Scotland will be greatly enriching, and we must do all we can to ensure they are not ill-treated or exploited.”



For further information contact Andrew Brady (abrady@tgwu.org.uk) or Nicola Morris (nmorris@tgwu.org.uk) on 0845 345 0141, or Ronnie Convery, Communications Director, Archdiocese of Glasgow on 0141 226 5898.

Andrew Brady
Research, Policy and Campaigns Unit
T&G Scotland
Tel: 0141-352-8946