EOC(3) MW 18b
Equality of Opportunity Committee
Inquiry into Migrant Workers
Response from Rhondda Cynon Taf
Introduction
The expansion of the EU has led to an increase in Migrant Workers within Rhondda Cynon Taf, many of whom face multiple problems such as accessing services, accessing information and advice and experiencing racial harassment within the community.
As a result of the increase in Migrant Workers and the problems they are experiencing in Rhondda Cynon Taf the Migrant Workers Forum was formed in February 2007.
The Forum membership consists of a variety of organisation from the public, private and voluntary sectors and employers and trade unions.
The Forum has an agreed Terms of Reference that identifies its aims and objectives that are centred on identifying and addressing the issues faced by Migrant Workers and to provide support wherever possible.
This action plan has been developed in order to assist the Forum in delivering its aims and objectives.
Identified Problems
Migrant workers face multiple problems within the community including:
Language barriers
Lack of accessible information
Housing problems
Lack of understanding of local and national regulations such as driving licence requirements
School admissions
Racial abuse and harassment in the wider community
Absence of social and cultural networks
Difficulties in registering for health care provision
Lack of knowledge on employment rights
Action Plan Priorities
When considering the development of the action plan it was recognised that there was a need to prioritise the issues to be addressed in order to ensure that the action plan was deliverable and that its actions would provide measurable results.
The action plan sub group identified the following three priorities to be addressed in 2007 - 2008:
Language Barriers
Access to Information
Support Networks
The action plan attached identifies how these prioritised issues are to be addressed.
Aim |
Action/Tasks |
Led By |
Timescale |
Performance indicator |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
To provide opportunities for Migrant Workers to increase language skills |
Identify current provision Identify opportunities for partnership working with other providers such as colleges Research possibility of provision with Community Schools to include provision for parents & children Work with local employers to identify need |
JS LEK EM |
By December 2007 |
Number of ESOL Classes increased Number of Migrant Workers and Children accessing classes increased Need identified and addressed |
Language barrier reduced |
To increase number of ESOL trainers |
Develop a train the trainers course Identify appropriate people for training Deliver training |
LEK EM |
By March 2008 |
Number of ESOL trainers increased |
Increased availability of ESOL classes |
To develop a Welcome Pack for Migrant Workers in RCT |
Identify content needed Identify contributors Identify translation providers Research costs Identify funding streams Produce pack Distribute Pack |
DJ EM SWP |
March 2008 |
Welcome Packs Produced and Distributed |
Increased availability of accessible information |
To provide Support Networks |
Establish international club of Migrant Workers Organise social events Arrange regular meetings Identify funding sources |
EM Trade Unions Interlink? |
October 2007 |
Forum established quarterly meetings held |
Issues of isolation addressed |
