The Plights of Migrant Workers by Angela Kiossoglou-Adams

Migrant workers in Europe coming from the Third World and Turkey apparently constitute about 15 million people. This group can, therefore, be considered a region in itself - not a geographical one, to be sure, but a region none-the-less. These people deserve full consideration as inhabitants of Europe, especially when we are discussing muticulturalism and a European identity.

In addressing issues related to migrant workers, we are forced to deal with issues of cultural identity and diversity at a most fundamental level. Exploring our difficulty in accepting Third World migrants, we confront the racism, inherent in all cultures, which is directed also against members of such cultures that happen to be different, e.g. gypsies, or people who live, speak or worship differently from the dominant group. Negative attitudes and behaviour directed towards migrant workers simply reflect the unexamined fear of difference held by most humans. It is important that these fears are examined; that we look at the common tendency to deny that the problem is within us rather than in the migrant presence.

No European country is homogeneous. Yet there is a drive for homogeneity which is often promoted in the name of patriotism, or nationalism. When the dominant culture of a country imposes its perceived cultural identity as the only valid one a large proportion of the inhabitants of that country have no voice. Similarly when the dominant northern European countries impose their language, ways of perceiving things and ways of operating on all European countries, the southern, smaller, countries are devalued or ignored. The term cultural identity has little meaning when members of minority groups who have lived centuries in a country are still threatened with abuse or even death; or inhabitants of some European countries cannot see that the culture of other European countries is a valid but different one. We feign shock at recent attacks on Third World migrants, but the attitudes underlying the attacks have always been around, given expression in the past on foreign soil, or, in more subtle forms, at home.

Any attempts at developing a new awareness would have to be done in the domain of education and parenting. The most effective way to overcome mistrust and fear would be for children to grow up amid diversity, in a climate where difference is celebrated and where close relationships with different kinds of people are encouraged and facilitated. Until we put in place a truly multi-cultural educational system where more than lip service is paid to the concept, little will change. A prospectus for a European school suggests that simply putting children of different backgrounds in a classroom together is enough for multicultural awareness to develop. However, as racism is ingrained in society, this is not enough.

All of us are conditioned by the society in which we grow up and we absorb unaware the attitudes inherent in that society. It is not our fault if we are ignorant, but at some point we have a responsibility to look at our assumptions and to question our attitudes towards others, and our tendency to mix with people of our own kind. It is not enough to intellectually acknowledge the concept of diversity; if we do not live it, nothing will change. We limit ourselves by staying in the safety of our own kind, never reaching out to many different kinds of people; or by not taking the time to learn about other people's lives; or not feeling concern that many people live without the basic right to live and work without fear.

When we think in global terms about people's rights to live and work without fear, we become aware of the forces that cause large groups of people to leave their countries and seek a livelihood elsewhere. Former colonising European countries who have grown wealthy on Third World resources need to recognise their part in causing large numbers of people to migrate in search of a decent life. A system which permits some countries to get wealthy at the expense of others is not an acceptable one, and should be questioned. Now that some Asian countries have rapidly developing economies we feel threatened, as if our own economical survival is at stake. The messages are conflicting and the thinking simplistic and not at all useful. Turning a blind eye to migrants' concerns or scapegoating them rather than confronting social and labour problems honestly and intelligently, is dangerous for all Europeans, not only our migrant population.

In conclusion, I urge that we:

challenge the tendency towards conformity and homogeneity in Europe
propose ways to assist people to question their assumptions about members of different cultural groups and to see to it that children are able to grow up accepting and enjoying diversity
always keep a global perspective, acknowledging that whatever facilitates one country's healthy participation in the global economy, should benefit all countries.

Further information about NETWORKING of Migrant Workers:

A. In Europe

Migrants have already formed networks within Europe although the establishment of formal groups has only taken place fairly recently. These groups are the result of many years of preparation and hours of time in formulating the constitutional by-laws. The Migrant Forum, for example, represents more than 100 nationalities and each national group has its own agenda - simply reaching agreement is difficult but the need for equal rights has been its binding force. The Migrant Forum should be a part of any official European body discussing culture, and it should be a part of any European action programme.

The present situation regarding migrant workers, operating at a European level, is as follows:

The Migrant Forum, set up in 1991 with support and funding from the European Parliament, is composed of representatives of migrant men and women of non-EU origin who have been able to come up with a platform of their demands.
The Black Women's' Network, set up in 1992, is still in the process of establishing itself.
A Filipino migrant women's group, BABAYLAN, is also operating.
A African migrant workers' group is now being set up.

The demands of these migrant workers are basic to their survival in Europe:

to be given the same rights as Europeans
to be able to move freely
to be permitted to work
to be permitted to stay

These are basic rights requested by people who are making a positive contribution to the society and economy of their host countries.

Already some European countries have granted amnesty for undocumented migrant workers, for example, Portugal, Spain and France have granted amnesty once, Italy three times. A Filipino campaign for amnesty is under way at present in the UK, Greece, Italy and Spain. Other migrant nationalities have joined with the Filipinos in this campaign.

B. In Greece

A Co-ordinating Body of all foreign workers is being formed at the moment. It is planned to come up with a proposal for an amnesty programme and works closely with the Confederation of Greek Workers (LSEE) and the Athens Labour Centre (EKE).

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