The hostile migration environment has an economic dimension. This hostility takes shape in, but not limited to, restricted employment opportunities for migrants particularly those who are new in the UK.
The barriers to work for migrants are onerous and numerous including but not limited to; Low levels of English language, Difficulty in recognising previous qualifications and experience, Gaps in employment history and no access to reference, Lack of work experience in the UK, Unfamiliarity with the UK job market, recruitment processes and work related welfare support mechanisms, lack of development and progression pathways and an acute lack of understanding amongst employers of the reality of migration and how it impacts migrants in the work environment. These operational conditions are exacerbated by wider structural/systemic factors including but not limited to; workers rights regimes &labour exploitation, poltics & political economy of migrant labour, systemic racism, struggling global economy, skills dislocation and new automated technologies etc.
These intersecting and complex conditions create an extremely challenging and perhaps hostile work environment for migrants to evolve and thrive. Also, the precarity of these conditions is also influenced by local realities of employment opportunities and support infrastructures. As such, Migrant Action works with its local partners to identify and help create an enabling and supportive employment environment for migrants. Such support involves removing barriers but also working towards building and strengthening local infrastructure for ensuring equitable access to work opportunities, development and progression pathways, awareness of workers rights and regimes to accessing these rights and capacity building to enhance understanding of migration and transforming wider structural barriers. In essence, building employment resilience and creating an enabling and supportive environment for migration and economic justice.
In March, Migrant Action alongside its patners of the Migration Partnership Barnsley organised a Job Fair and Employability Event aimed at articulating the aforementioned aims. It was a very succesful event centering the lived experiences and expertise of migrants working collaboratively with local private employment agencies, the local employment and skills department, DWP etc. The event also articulated the intersectionality and interface of employment with Housing, mental & physical health & wellbeing, poverty & destitution and the precarious pathways of criminality that could lead to negative immigration outcomes. As such, the event also facilitated the participation of these broader services enabling effective partnership and networking to address these conditions and barriers to employment for migrants. The event also highlight the importance of positive employment pathways to enable effective integration and building strong and cohesive communities.
