The rapid pace of economic and social change in a world where the place of decision-making appears to be increasingly distant from ordinary people has led to growing anxiety. The trade unions have often appeared impotent in face of these changes. While union membership and influence has tended to diminish, Europe has witnessed the growth of a racist and xenophobic political right.
The unions remain the most representative of voices of ordinary working people. But their influence is less than it was, and this can only weaken further if racism and xenophobia are allowed to divide workers along ethnic and national lines.
The challenge of racism and xenophobia is thus a challenge to Europe: what is at stake is our future peace and prosperity, our future environment and our future democracy.
It is for these reasons that our research and this Web site are Working against Racism. The pages that follow provide information, argument and example of how trade unionists and others can be involved in struggling against racism in the workplace.
Our ambition is to make the Working against Racism Web site a meeting point for all who are campaigning against racism and xenophobia in the workplace in Europe. A cross-roads of experiences (good and bad) from which we can all benefit in order to become more effective anti-racists.
If you share our aspirations, contact us. Whether it is to suggest a link to an organisation that we have missed, or if your country is not represented, to help us establish an additional national site with coverage in your language.
Racial and ethnic minorities, immigration and the role of trade unions in combating discrimination and xenophobia, in encouraging participation and in securing social inclusion and citizenship (RITU) 2003-2005
