Motion no: 16
Conference will recall that a motion was carried at the 2024 BDC condemning ‘the outrageous display of racial and ethnic hatred on display’ that summer. Since then, we have endured two further summer outbreaks of lawless racism visited upon our members, our neighbours and our friends. There is evidence that this violence is organised both ’on the ground’ as well as online.
This movement has a long history of anti-fascism, and this conference commends those who exercise that tradition.
Counter-protests on the streets are instrumental in challenging the far right and this movement has developed additional tools in the continued struggle against ignorance and prejudice.
This includes the work of ICTU’s dedicated anti-racism project, as well as the work of affiliates who provide training to their members along with support and assistance to workers in vulnerable communities and at workplaces exposed to attacks online and in person.
Therefore, Conference instructs the NIC to:
[i] build on the work of the trade union movement in challenging the rise of far-right politics;
[ii] develop strategies to equip trade union members to counter and dispel far right propaganda and protect refugee and migrant workers in their places of employment;
[iii] work alongside partners in wider society in countering racist violence and protecting refugee and migrant communities;
[iv]campaign to ensure that the NI Executive produce a credible and resourced racial equality strategy which has the support of black and minority representative groups in particular;
[v] be prepared and co-ordinate action in opposition to the forces of fascism and to challenge government failings regarding their responsibilities to refugees and immigrant workers.
