Working Lives Research Institute
13/11/2010
The report presents key findings of our research on the social and economic lives of Kurdish migrants in London (mainly Hackney, Haringey) and it looks at where Kurdish workers turned for help, support and representation when they had problems at work. It explores the linkages between Kurdish minority ethnic workers and workplace community (managers, colleagues, trade unions), local community (e.g. CABx, law centres), ethnic communities (family, friends) and community organisations (e.g. cultural, political, social and faith). We interviewed a total of 61 workers – 29 individually and 32 in 5 focus groups and 21 interviews with ‘key respondents’ who were officials from trade unions, advice agencies and community groups.
This report offers high-quality and rich empirical data and provides detailed insight into the relationship between Kurdish ethnic minority workers and different advice agencies.
Kurdish Employees Face Advice Crisis
Workers from Kurdish community in the UK face an advice crisis that can ruin their lives, a study by the Working Lives Research Institute shows.
Researchers found that people facing bullying, racism, withholding of pay and even violence and sexual harassment, were unable to get practical help and advice in particular the lack of English language skill amongst first-generation Kurdish workers cause ‘exploitive community solidarity’ in the ‘ethnic economy’ where the long work hours (up to 72 hours), lack of holiday entitlements, low payment without any proper contract, overtime, sick pay or holiday pay become normalised. Outside the ‘ethnic economy, Kurdish workers are at a greater disadvantage in the labour market as a result of prejudice, racism, xenophobia, ethnic penalties.
Finding useful employment advice from sources other than trade unions was very difficult – very few workers interviewed know about or used government or voluntary sector advice available online or by phone.
When advice was available – from the Citizens Advice Bureau or law centres – there were problems with access, restricted opening hours and ineligibility for legal aid. While workers talked about the using Kurdish community advice services for issues of immigration, housing and language, this was not really the case for employment problems due to lack of specialist employment advisors in advice surgeries and other issues
Workers who approached ‘no-win-no-fee’ solicitors could be asked for £2,000 up front or were pressed to settle their case so that the solicitors’ fees would be paid. Researchers found that people experiencing problems at work want to talk through the details of their problem and to have someone represent them in dealings with managers.
Dr Jane Holgate, who coordinated the research, said: “The research showed how the problems that people face at work can have a serious impact on their personal lives in terms of ill-health, unemployment and poverty.
“The consequences for companies in terms of increased costs and for wider society in terms of picking up the pieces is much greater than most people perhaps realise. “The lack of support for employment problems is a serious issue. Current advice agencies are seriously underfunded and this is likely to get worse because of forthcoming cuts. “If the Big Society is to be meaningful, resources need to be directed at community level to provide the advice and support that is needed. Trade unions and voluntary sector organisations are best situated to protect the interests of workers. “Some of our interviews revealed bullying, racism, withholding of pay and even violence. Yet many of these workers had no place to turn when they desperately needed help and advice. “A number had developed mental health problems and others had lost their jobs.
For some, trade unions were able to provide the help they needed, but many interviewees did not have unions at their workplace and voluntary sector organisations like Law Centres and Citizens Advice were unable to provide employment advice. Trade union membership is very low amongst the Kurdish workers interviewed and only nine interviewees held union cards.
If the Big Society is to be meaningful, then resources need to be directed at community level to provide the advice and support that is needed. Trade unions and voluntary sector organisations are best situated to protect the interests of workers as they are positioned where local people can reach them
Notes for editors:
The research focused on ethnic groups in three London boroughs: Kurds in Hackney, South Asians in Ealing and Black Caribbeans in Lambeth.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 185 people – 100 individually and 88 in16 focus groups. They represented a fair cross-section in terms of age, sex and type of work.
One aspect of the research was the use of photography to express the sense of collective identity in the groups surveyed. Some images are available at:
Diaspora, work, employment and community: A report on Kurdish workers in London
All reports are available for download:
Diaspora, work, employment and community: A report on Kurdish workers in London
For more information contact
Dr Jane Holgate
Work and Employment Relations Division, Leeds University Business School, Maurice Keyworth, Building University of Leeds, LS2 9J, email: j.holgate@leeds.ac.uk
