LONDON — Dozens of unionists and others joined an Oct. 15 protest organized by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union outside Parliament here in defense of 200 workers on the London Underground threatened with deportation.
In July the Labour government with just three weeks’ notice imposed new rules for workers getting a visa. These regulations raised salary thresholds, but also struck some jobs from the “skilled workers” list, including “rail travel assistant,” meaning those workers are no longer eligible for a work-related visa.
“After finishing my studies here, I looked for a job that eventually would give me a permanent visa,” Elsy, who didn’t want to give her last name, told the Militant. “This is the reason I applied for this particular job.” She is originally from India and has her family here.
A few days before, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who is responsible for Transport for London, appealed to the government to pause implementation of the new rules.
“They have changed the rules for us several times,” said Ayodele Oynole. “This time I got moved to a higher pay grade. But I just needed more time on this job until July for Transport for London to sponsor my visa.”
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey told the rally the union would continue to support its members. “Our members joined the rail industry in good faith, with the clear understanding they could build their futures here. They are on permanent employment contracts,” he said. “If you have an RMT badge on your chest, you are one of us and we will fight in your corner.
“I asked to see the migration minster face to face, but they gave me an appointment for Nov. 6, one day before the new rules will take effect. I will go to that meeting and tell them what these workers are facing.”
“Some of us will lose our visa status in November and I can just imagine what’s going through their heads right now,” said Akinwumi Akinyemi, a worker at Paddington station. He brought to the attention of the union the threat to workers’ visa status.
“My visa expires in February, and if I stay one day longer then I will be classified as an illegal immigrant. We spent everything we had to come here, and now they want us to go back to nothing.”
Akinyemi appealed to some Members of Parliament at the demonstration. “If you know anywhere we should go to speak, we are ready to come and explain our situation,” he said.