BPSU: Combatting Racism & Xenophobia
“The BPSU pledges to continue its fight to eradicate racism and xenophobia,” BPSU President Jason Hayward said, adding that the Union is “committed to continuing its advocacy for social and economic development initiatives which removes systemic disparities.”
Sen. Hayward said, “Public Services International [PSI] is a global trade union federation representing approximately 20 million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 163 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services.
“At the 2019 PSI Interamerican Regional Conference forum held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on anti-racism and anti-xenophobia, affiliates from the region including USA, Guatemala, Chile, Brazil, Columbia, Argentina and Venezuela highlighted the challenges they face addressing racism against both black and indigenous minorities.
“Bermuda is not excluded from the plight experienced by our regional counterparts; racism and xenophobia also exists in our own country. Our local black population forms Bermuda’s economic minority and has been subjected to systemic institutionalised racism for decades. The impact of racism on Bermuda’s black population is reflected in disparities in various areas including wealth, income, criminal justice, employment, housing, health care and education.
“Bermuda’s guest workers are often subjected to racism and xenophobia. In a recent survey conducted by one of Bermuda’s largest employers, over a third of their workforce reported being subjected to bullying and harassment based on nationality, race and ethnicity.
“Guest workers who enter our economy to fill low-skilled jobs are often subjected to low wages, precarious work, a lack of benefits and unreasonable working hours. While it is recognised that there is a local demand for their labour, guest workers frequently experience a lack of acceptance from the wider community.
“The Bermuda Public Services Union [BPSU] plans to host an expatriate workers forum to obtain a better understanding of the specific challenges currently facing our guest worker community.
“In addition, the BPSU will initiate developing partnerships between the Union and the various national associations that currently represent guest workers in Bermuda. The aim is to produce a customised support package specifically for guest workers.
“The BPSU pledges to continue its fight to eradicate racism and xenophobia. The Union is committed to continuing its advocacy for social and economic development initiatives which removes systemic disparities and ensures equal access to quality public services for all.
“Together we must work to end the intolerance and discrimination towards our fellow brothers and sisters.”
what about combatting hate against LGBTQ?
And what about it? Who cares about gays anyway?
What about homophobia?
Lip service for the media and gullible worker.
Time for Jason et al to look in their own backyard.
Namaste.
God bless you Jason. Bermuda needs a anti racism and xenophobia champion like you.
I am so pleased that you have joined the fight to ensure all Bermuda born British Overseas Territories Citizens born here to immigrant parents will no longer be the subject of such draconian and xenophobic immigration restrictions in the land of their birth.
Let freedom reign and let all our people live a life of dignity free from racism and free from xenophobia.
God bless this endeavour and reward you for your commitment to justice and equity in our great land.
haha He didn’t think that one through did he?
And as the leader of the Bda PUBLIC SERVICE union, what is he on about “Guest workers who enter our economy to fill low-skilled jobs are often subjected to low wages, precarious work, a lack of benefits and unreasonable working hours.” I don’t know any civil servant who falls into the “low wage or unreasonable working hours” category.
What planet you live on Clem
I look forward to the BPSU condemning Col. Burch for his comments on the Chief Justice.
HaHaHa….. is this an April fools day joke
Must be because CURB haven’t supported it.
Jason a good place to start is in your own backyard. Change the mindset of them first then work into the community.
Jason Hayward and the BPSU are full of IT. They say they care about these things but I can tell you from personal experience that there is a chasm as wide as the Grand Canyon between their words and their actions.
In particular I can say with a high degree of confidence that they are not as concerned about bullying in the workplace as they claim!
Lmao how about racism against people who are not black?
“Bermuda’s guest workers are often subjected to racism and xenophobia.”
Yes, and that has been the case for decades. Why the change now?
The Government intentionally drove thousands of ex pats out of Bermuda between 2007 and 2009. What has changed?
What’s funny is there is a direct relation to lgbtq hate and the uneducated. The LGBTQ should start a fund to help educate these poor souls. They Litterally have zero education. I feel bad for them
Isn’t this the same guy who wore the Union Thug t-shirt egging on the protestors about Canadians “taking over” the airport a couple of years back?
You can’t make this stuff up.
Huh?
Is this serious?
If they’re so intent on equal rights, then don’t forget combating homophobia as well.
I hope your membership is aware hahaha
“guest workers frequently experience a lack of acceptance from the wider community”
Starting with some of your members and those from related unions who preach the opposite of inclusion, acceptance, collaboration and understanding.
Looks like a different way of counting people if you ask me. And why stop at just xenophobia and racism? What about homophobia? Or does that one get a pass Jason?
LOL…lots of STFU’s Jason. Hilarious.