“What we Learned”: The ESW Project & the

Development of the PlanCharlie Dorr & Monika Stennett

Equality South West

The Context

Major economic and cultural benefits but also challenges:•Exploitation •Access to & impact on public services •Community tensions and discrimination•Language barriers•Over-dependence of employers •Information gaps

Migration in South West

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Source: Department for Work and Pensions

NINO Registrations to Overseas Nationals in the South West (in 000s)

Migration in South West

Overseas NINO Registrations by World Area of Origin April - July 2010

19%

40%3%

7%

21%

6%4% 0%

European Union

EU Accession States

Other European

Africa

Asia and Middle East

The Americas

Australasia andOceaniaUnknown

ESW Project

•2 Year Contract from the SW RDA May 2008 – March 2010•SW Forum for Migrant Workers as Steering Group

ESW Project 2008 - 2010

•A better understanding off the trends in migration and the impact and implications this has for sustainability of business in the region. Analysis would feed into future developments of the RES, or single regional strategy, corporate plan etc.

•Better skills training provision for Migrant Workers.

•Employers are equipped for the task of employing Migrant Labour and are using best practice.

•A better coordinated public sector response to the issue at regional level.

Project Activities

•Trend analysis and research among employers and migrant workers•11 Employer Events •Collection of good practice case studies•Directory of Support Services•Migrant Workers Network•Regional Action Plan & Strategic Review work

Regional Action Plan – Why? •Value of a regional voice on migration issues• Need for cooperation across policy areas•Scope to join-up and share good practice from successful local initiatives•Need to avoid duplication and develop connections between different networks•Need to identify gaps and coordinate funding for capacity building•Where activities were already planned, the Action Plan builds on the knowledge base of partners

Regional Action Plan – How? •Led by the South West Forum for Migrant Workers •Consulted through the Strategic Review of Migrant Workers 2008-09•Consultation with Migrant Workers Network•Task & Finish Group involving SW RDA, South West Councils, SW LSC, SWTUC, Wiltshire Council and SW Chambers of Commerce•Approved by the Forum, the Migration Board and the Regional Employment and Skills Board Oct 2008 – Jan 2010

Regional Action Plan – What came up?•Scope to feed into national initiatives – e.g. BITC Code of Practice•Interest in partnership work and capacity building with migrant community groups•Many migrants settling long-term – potentially different policy priorities•Plenty of local initiatives – need to better communicate information from local to national level

Regional Action Plan – Who & When?•Sets out a series of actions for the next three years 2010 – 2012•Includes both small-scale short-term actions, and longer-term more innovative aspirational actions•Covers delivery by regional rather than local organisations but includes actions around capacity building and infrastructure support for the local level

Regional Action Plan – What?

•Regional & Local Structures– Developing stronger partnership working

at local level

•Economy, Skills & Employer Engagement

– Utilisation of migrant workers skills & preventing creation of second tier workforce

– Keeping employers informed & encouraging responsible employment

Regional Action Plan – What?

•Supporting Migrant Workers– Supporting advice services for migrants– Expanding accessible English provision

•Responsive Public Services – Mainstreaming the needs of migrant

workers– Adapting public services to migration

Challenges

•Change in government priorities•Public expenditure cuts•Possible change in regional structures•Integration of long-term settlers •New migrant communities

Migrant Workers Network

•One of the priorities in the Action Plan – set up in November 2008•Acts as a voice for migrants at regional level and enables Migrant Community Groups to share experiences•Migrant Leadership Event – January 2010

New Project – Migrant Communication Strategy•Part of a national project led by Migrant Rights Network•Recruitment of 5 volunteers from the migrant community to act as community advocates •Use of electronic media to record migrant experiences – particular focus on exploitation•National report – November 2010