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Working Against Racism - A trade union challenge for the 21st Century |
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Written by Wilf Sullivan
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Wednesday, 20 June 2007 |
The changing nature of the modern labour market, the political consequences of European enlargement, deregulation and the increased penetration of the market into what was previously state provision have pushed issues of racism and xenophobia of the centre of the political agenda across Europe. With increased movement of capital and a crisis in demographics has come a demand for labour not only in highly skilled areas but also in low skilled jobs resulting in a massive increase in workers migrating from war torn and impoverished economies in the south to the relative prosperous north.
The spectre of rivalry between different groups on the basis of race and nationality often fuelled by the growing numbers of extreme right wing political parties across Europe poses the question as to whether trade unions will plump for representing the interests of their current membership or seek to find ways of incorporating those workers who have not previously been of great concern. Irrespective of recognition the politics of race are a reality that trade unions across Europe will be forced to deal with.
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