The Ice Man Cometh: New Racist Rules for UK Skilled-Workers Visas
On Wednesday, RMT trade unionists gathered outside parliament to demand the scrapping of the new financial thresholds for Skilled Workers’ Visas for overseas workers, reports Pete Webster.
Alarm bells should be ringing across the trade-union movement as the changes due to come into force on 8 November signal a ramping up of institutional racism.
The impact, like all immigration-related legislation, is deeply racist with the overwhelming number of people being affected coming from a non-white background.
In July this year, an amendment to the Immigration Act (1971) means that the minimum salary requirements have risen significantly and will be in effect in early November.
Starmer’s government used a statutory instrument to make the amendment: this meant there was no debate nor any consultation with unions or others.
The changes will lead to many becoming disqualified, facing arrest, detention, and deportation.
Author's summary: New UK visa rules spark racism concerns.