Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/10317
Posted on 27 September 2010 at 18:10 GMT
London: Defending migrant workers' rights
The chant of "hands off our workmates, no one is illegal!" echoed outside the London office of contract cleaning company Initial Rentokil on Saturday 25 September.
Neil Cafferky, London Socialist Party
Workers had gathered in an action organised by the London region of the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport workers' union) in response to Initial Rentokil using the immigration police to intimidate migrant workers who were seeking to get organised.
One worker who had complained to management of not receiving his back pay, a common occurrence according to workers at the company, was reported to the immigration police by management and subsequently arrested.
As London RMT regional organiser Steve Hedley pointed out at the protest, Initial Rentokil was well aware of the immigration status of their workers when they hired them.
Glenroy Watson, secretary of RMT Finsbury Park branch told the protest that the RMT would not allow its members to be intimidated by a union busting company.
He warned that bigger and louder protests were planned outside Rentokil's office until it ends its behaviour.
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