The Migrant Workers Support Unit was established in January 2007, as part of the unions commitment to organising, and as a means of promoting better workplace outcomes for our members.

Centrally, the unit consists of Omer Ahmed and Donna Reeve, who are based within the Organising Department at Transport House, Holborn. They are in turn supported throughout Unite’s regional network by dedicated migrant worker support officers.

The main aims and objectives of the Migrant Support Unit are:

•       To ensure that union officers, staff and lay members in all regions and central departments are better able support  and assist migrant workers and to be able to identify and develop opportunities to better organise migrant  workers through mainstream resources and services.

•       To provide training and support to enhance the ability of, officers, staff and members to meet the needs of migrant workers who are increasingly becoming committed members of the union.

•       To ensure that pertinent stakeholders, government, press & media, academic and civil institutions are apprised of issues affecting all workers, arising from the growth in the use and exploitation of migrant labour.

•       To map the range of activity across the T&G, in organising migrant workers.  

•       To identify the support and training needs of officers, organisers, shop stewards and staff in relation to organising migrant workers.

•       To develop and disseminate a clearer understanding of the practical and substantive difficulties of organising migrant workers.

•       To recommend an appropriate policy framework and strategies to enable the union to develop proactive measures, to organise migrant workers more effectively.

•       To identify the resource, legal and political implications and opportunities for the union in organising migrant workers.