date: Wednesday 11 June 2008

embargo: for immediate release

TUC welcomes united approach to the benefits and challenges of migration

Responding to the publication of 'Managing the Impacts of Migration: a Cross Government Approach' today (Wednesday) by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The Government is right to stress that migrant workers bring a lot to this country. But they are also right to recognise that public services need help to adjust, and that migrant workers need protection from exploitation. As the TUC's Commission on Vulnerable Employment recently argued, migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

'A united approach to migration - recognising the benefits but addressing the challenges - is long overdue, and while some of the Government's steps do not go far enough they are heading in the right direction

'These proposals will back up the good work unions and others are doing to promote integration by tackling discrimination and inequality of treatment.

'However, we still need more action to enforce vulnerable workers' rights, more support for migrant workers' language needs and a better migration system.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- 'Managing the Impacts of Migration: a Cross Government Approach' is available at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/migrationimpact

- The report of the TUC's Commission on Vulnerable Employment - 'Hard Work Hidden Lives' - is available at: www.vulnerableworkers.org.uk

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 11 Jun 2008