Motion no: 2
Conference condemns the incidents of violence, racism and hate crime that have increased in recent months and have seriously impacted black and minority ethnic communities, including our members and their families.
Conference expresses its profound sorrow at the death of UNISON member Anu Okasanya. Anu’s tragic and avoidable death followed a racist incident as she returned home from work. Conference offers its sincere condolences to Anu’s family and friends.
Conference believes that it is completely unacceptable that racists and bigots can be allowed to put our members in harms’ way.
Conference recalls the trade union movement’s long and proud tradition of standing up for equality and human rights and against prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. Conference commends the efforts of the Northern Ireland Committee and affiliates in taking action to protect our members from harm and challenge racism, and calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to work with affiliates to ensure that this work continues and intensifies.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to progress a campaign, working directly with affiliates, their own Black and Migrant Workers’ membership structures and allied organisations to ensure effective ‘zero-tolerance’ policies exist in the workplace and to ensure that the right supports are in place for workers affected by racism and discrimination.
In particular, conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to prioritise the widespread adoption and implementation of the Joint Declaration of Protection for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environments by employers.
Conference further calls on the Northern Ireland Committee, working with wider civic society, to progress a campaign for strong hate crimes legislation and a renewed, effective Racial Equality strategy, taking into account the recent recommendations of the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in relation to Northern Ireland.
Conference reaffirms its commitment to seeking the full implementation of the rights-based commitments of the peace agreements, including through the introduction of single equality legislation and the implementation of the duty to promote equality of opportunity under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to continue to campaign, both through its Equality and Human Rights sub-group and alongside our allies in the Equality Coalition, for the introduction of single equality legislation in Northern Ireland and for full compliance by public authorities with the section 75 duties, including through effective oversight and enforcement by the Equality Commission.
