Local public agencies need to establish links with new migrant workers to understand more about their needs; to work out what information, support or service changes they may need; and to address any tensions between communities.
However, engaging with new groups can be difficult. Some of the problems and some solutions with case study examples are covered below.
Why engaging with new migrants can be difficult
Limited trust
Many migrant workers come from countries where authorities, especially the police, may not always be trusted. This can make it more difficult to establish links.
Some police officers wear plain clothes to meetings with groups. A personal link through an individual with language skills or one migrant worker contact can become the link with a wider community. A number of forces attend English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes to talk about the role of the police and make informal and non-threatening contacts. Some work with local trade union representatives.
Lack of existing groups to build on
In diverse areas such as London, there may already be community networks or faith groups for new migrants to contact when they arrive in the UK. In areas with a shorter or different history of diversity there may be less of a community support infrastructure for new arrivals to link into and for public agencies to use as a base for making links with new arrivals. There are often fewer family ties in the UK for migrant workers from the accession states than, for example, migrant workers from Pakistan. So there may be less of a community for local agencies to access; individuals are more dispersed and may have few bonds with those they work alongside or share accommodation with.
Existing community development structures and assistance in developing new self-help groups can help. Authorities have also made contact through employers, churches or other places of worship and locations frequented by migrant workers such as those offering free internet services.
High turnover
Particularly where work is seasonal such as in agriculture or hospitality, a high turnover of workers and short-term contracts make it difficult to engage with workers on a longer term basis. Rapid turnover can restrict self-help groups unless there is a source of consistent support to draw on, for example a church or an existing established group. Repeat information has to be distributed regularly to reach any newcomers. Routes through employers, employment agencies and private landlords need to be maintained to establish contact with incoming migrants.
People are working long hours
Many migrant workers work long hours, including anti-social shifts, so contact or targeted events need to be planned for carefully or channelled through employers.
Who represents the new migrants?
Migrant workers may not be a cohesive community with identifiable leaders. Some individuals may volunteer to act as interpreters or spokespeople for a community, but agencies need to engage with a wider group. For example, those with poor English language skills may have different needs and concerns to those with language fluency. There may be several nationalities in an area, with different expectations and communication needs. There have also been cases where self-selected 'representatives' are closely linked to landlords or gangmasters.