When something does go wrong migrant workers cannot always find trusted advice. Long working hours, poor English and no knowledge of where to go all limit access. In more rural areas transport is an additional barrier.
Appropriate welcome information for workers and good induction by employers can help reduce concerns and correct misconceptions (see migrant worker concerns).
Advice and information for migrant workers can be delivered through a number of channels. For example, talks to local groups with question and answer sessions can complement information leaflets distributed through service points and employers.
Advice and information for migrant workers
Migrant workers often seek or need information on:
- entitlements - especially concerning work and benefits
- responsibilities - for example around household waste, council tax, UK driving rules
- life in the UK - useful information for new arrivals such as how (and why) to register with a GP, find school places, find advice or join English classes
Welcome information packs
Much of this has been incorporated into local ‘welcome’ or information packs. Packs or booklets are often jointly compiled by local partners including the police, primary care trust and local voluntary agencies. Many packs already exist so it is not necessary to write them from scratch. Packs can also be used as a resource for employers and local agency staff.
Educating new arrivals about specific responsibilities
Police-led work includes leaflets about basic laws and regulations, especially around road safety. Some also talk directly to groups of workers via English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes and as part of employer induction arrangements. Some forces have promoted additional driving training for those recruited abroad to drive heavy goods vehicles.
Using a number of different methods of providing advice and information is more likely to reach a wider number of new arrivals. Examples include:
- booklets and leaflets - examples:
- websites - example sites:
- newsletters
- word of mouth at meetings, job fairs, induction
- local radio - In Norfolk local radio stations have been used to spread information. For example, Wayland community radio had a Portuguese day in April 2006 that included an interview with the local police inspector, and the station broadcast agreed one-liners for the police force during the day in different languages covering issues such as the need for car insurance.
- telephone helplines
- posters - can display educational messages and signpost advice services
- DVDs - can be particularly useful for sharing information with groups and does not assume literacy. In the London Borough of Haringey schools have a welcome DVD that can be played in a wide range of languages. It introduces parents (and their children) to education and to the borough.
The Migrant Helpline (external link) runs One Stop Service offices throughout Kent and East Sussex which provide advice and support to both asylum seekers and refugees settled in the local area. In addition to One Stop, Migrant Helpline provides a specialist advice service for EU Migrants, the European Migrant Consultancy.
Who can disseminate the information?
- migrant workers to migrant workers - this is often supported by community development workers, voluntary agencies and the church or faith groups.
- employers - some employers provide advice, information and assistance for their workers, for example on how to set up bank accounts. The Home Office provides case studies of support.
- front line public agency workers - many front line staff can help spread relevant information. In Pendle in Lancashire, refuse trucks carry stocks of short, translated leaflets about waste disposal and local rubbish collection arrangements. If operatives see any build up of refuse, they can deliver leaflets to the relevant households. In Wychavon a health visitor regularly attends local ESOL classes to pass on information about registering with a GP.
- faith and community groups - groups can both provide their own advice or assist migrant workers in setting up self-help facilities. In Hyndburn, advice on credit unions and housing came from residents’ groups in the Hyndburn Community Network.
- specialists, advice centres, voluntary organisations, national organisations and trade unions - local advice centres, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau are experienced information and advice providers. However, information and advice centres need to have adequate access and strategies for providing translation and interpretation as clients may have a poor standard of English.
- national bodies - national bodies such as the Department for Trade and Industry provide basic translated information about working in the UK. Organisations such as the Immigration Advisory Service offer specific advice and can take up individual cases.
- trade unions - union representation in low paid employment sectors is low but unions are working to provide information. The Trades Union Congress (external link) produce a downloadable leaflet in 11 languages for people coming to work in the UK giving information about their legal rights. With the Health and Safety Executive they publish a health and safety guide in 19 languages.
Advice, information and guidance for front line staff and volunteers
Existing information points include libraries and public reception areas; staff here should know how to help migrant workers with information or be able to signpost on those needing help. This should include knowing how to access interpretation or translation services if necessary, which may require additional training and guidelines. For example, receptionists and staff at Hammersmith and Fulham have been briefed on the council’s new translation guidance. The intranet has been updated and provides clear information for staff on the options available.
Migrant workers' rights and entitlements can vary considerably, so training is often needed. Greater education about entitlements and the differences between migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers will also mean staff can dispel myths in their local communities. Much of the information aimed at migrant workers can also help to educate staff and specialist resources are also available.
Case study: educating front line staff
New Link in Peterborough runs a Refugee and Asylum Seeker Awareness and Migrant Workers Introductory Module course that is free of charge for organisations and community groups in Peterborough.
These aim to raise awareness and challenge common myths, through giving facts and encouraging participants to reflect on the reality of being an asylum seeker or migrant worker.
Training is also provided to relevant service staff.
Work carried out by Keystone Development Trust and META in Breckland includes explaining the issues that migrant workers face to local police community support officers during their equalities training, and setting up a migrant worker action line that can also be used by practitioners and employers.
Useful resources for service staff include:
Advice, information and guidance for employers
The TUC and regional unions run events to give guidance to employers. A range of organisations, employers and unions in the North West support Migrant Workers North West (external link), a regional charity aimed at supporting employers and migrant workers.
The Home Office (external link) also hosts a website providing resources and case studies about supporting migrant workers.