JOINT STATEMENT From ICTU and the CBI to mark International Day Against Racism
Confederation of British Industry (NI) & Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NI Committee)
To mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the leading umbrella organisations representing trade unions and employers are releasing this joint statement, with the support of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Labour Relations Agency.
We now have a very diverse labour market with migrants and people from ethnic minorities playing key roles right across the economy. This is a cause for celebration and a boost for productivity. Diversity makes us all richer, in every meaning of that term.
To mark UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March, we recommit ourselves to eliminating racism and discrimination in our workplaces and recall our 2017 framework for promoting integrated workplaces developed in the updated Joint Declaration for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environments, an initiative fostered by the LRA’s Employment Relations Roundtable.
This statement aimed to foster a culture which:
- Gives all persons an equal opportunity for employment and advancement irrespective of religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, disability, and persons with or without dependants;
- Encourages all employees to develop their full potential;
- Rewards achievement;
- Achieves a workforce that is broadly representative of the Northern Ireland community;
- Respects expressions of diverse identity in the context of a harmonious and inclusive working environment.
Employers and unions committed then, and re-commit today, to promote:
- Awareness of this declaration and its associated model workplace policy which should be tailored to the particular circumstances of each workplace;
- Equality of opportunity and fair participation in employment as part of our contribution to the growth of an inclusive and peaceful society in Northern Ireland, including the interests of job seekers and those involved with employment agencies and sub-contractors;
- A fully resourced programme of action, comprising, among other things, an active communications strategy, training plans and identifying key players for making these declarations operational.
We commit again to using this framework to contribute towards securing better employment outcomes for migrants and ethnic minorities in our labour market.
Caroline van der Feltz from the CBI NI People and Skills Network said
Embedding diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a moral and a strategic imperative. Businesses have a vital role to play in achieving a more inclusive economy where work enables all talent to progress. If we act now we can create a more diverse and inclusive business community, competitive advantage and a more equitable society
Gerry Murphy, ICTU Assistant General Secretary added
We believe that the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland support workplaces which are fair and safe spaces for every worker. Our movement is inclusive and democratic because we have, as a core principle, that no worker gets left behind. We commit to building the solidarity between working people of all backgrounds and to work together with allies from all backgrounds and from every part of our economy, to deliver a clear message that malign forces cannot divide our communities and workplaces. Further investment in workplace integration can help to make workplaces harmonious and productive.
