Support for SOAS Cleaners

Diane Abbott MP today came out in support of the nine cleaners from the School of Oriental and African Studies who were subject to immigration raids this week after they took part in Trade Union activities.

The cleaners were called to an “emergency staff meeting” at 6.30 in the morning where they were met by 40 immigration officials in riot gear who arrested nine of the cleaners and took them to various police stations and immigration detention centres. Reports today suggested that the women had had no recourse to legal advice or interpretation services. One of the women was heavily pregnant and another was due to visit hospital on the day of the raid. Five of the women were removed from the country.

The women are part of the trade union movement that has seen success in gaining employment rights and fair wages for cleaners.

Diane said today:

“This action by UKBA, SOAS management and ISS is the worst form of hypocrisy. The UK, and London in particular, relies on migrant labour in the cleaning industry. But as soon as cleaners organise and ask for basic employment rights they are targeted for attacks by immigration. I am appalled by the way these cleaners have been treated and I will be contacting the Home Secretary to voice my concerns and show my support for the campaign.”

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