The Migrants Rights Network is working for a rights-based approach to migration, with migrants as full partners in developing the policies and procedures which affect life in the UK. Migrants Rights News aims to inform our members and other groups working on migration issues about regional and national policy developments, campaign news, recent research and upcoming events.
At the Heart of Migrants Rights News are the campaigns and strategies being developed by migrants to consolidate their position in British society. We focus on activities that extend the scope of the human, economic and social rights which apply to migrants’ circumstances.
February 2009 MRN newsletter:
(1) Tough new ‘Earned Citizenship’ regime looms as Immigration Bill released
A new year, a tough, new ‘path to citizenship’…? The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill, introduced into Parliament this January, contains provisions which would revamp the naturalisation process in the UK. Contents of this Bill aim to ‘fast-track’ key aspects of the draft (partial) ‘Simplification Bill’ – a major, and controversial, Home Office project from 2008. Release of the ‘Simplification Bill’, aimed at replacing all immigration legislation from the 1971 Immigration Act, has now been postponed until autumn 2009.
(2) “British Jobs for British Workers” – what impact on migrants?
– a blog from MRN Director, Don Flynn
The conclusion of the week-long strike at the Lindsey Oil Refinery (LOR) in North Lincolnshire at the beginning of February raises important concerns about the position of migrant workers in the UK labour force.
(3) Challenges for the 2009 Czech EU Presidency
As immigration issues continue to occupy the headlines across Europe, the Czech Republic looks set to have a tumultuous time during its 6-month Presidency of the European Union (EU). It will follow the no-holds-barred leadership of the French Presidency under Nicholas Sarkozy – which led EU member states to sign up to the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum and further the development of common – and in many cases controversial – policies on immigration and asylum.
(4) Woolas throws down the gauntlet to the Geneva Conventions
Immigration minister Phil Woolas caused a stir in January when he told BBC Radio 4’s Beyond Westminster programme that the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (referred to as ‘the Geneva Convention’) may be limited in dealing with the practical realities of asylum in the contemporary world.
(5) Schools and universities set to take on immigration duties under Tier 4
Despite concerns among many academics and teaching staff, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is continuing to lay the foundations for the next stage of the new Points-Based System for foreign work and study in the UK. ‘Tier 4′, the system by which people can apply to study in the UK, is due to come into force at the end of March 2009.
- Detained Lives: the real cost of indefinite immigration detention, London Detainee Support Group (LDSG), January 2009
- Undocumented Children in Europe: Invisible Victims of Immigration Restrictions, The Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), January 2009
- Rethinking migration: Work and welfare in a mobile economy, Elena Jurado & Annie Bruzzone, Policy Network, January 2009
Three reports commissioned by Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI)
- New Migration, Equality and Integration
- Investigating the Role of Employment Agencies in the Recruitment and Employment of Migrant Workers
- We asked for Workers but Human Beings Came
(7) Upcoming Events
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To read the full newsletter, visit the Migrants’ Rights Network website
Filed under: networks, news | Tagged: EU, immigration, migrant rights, migrant support, migrant worker, migration
