Jeremy Corbyn has long championed the rights of the underprivileged, be they newcomers to this country, or those who have lived here all their lives. In Tuesday’s debate he upheld this tradition by pointing out the ways in which discrimination against immigrant workers could be treated fairly and have their major contribution to our society recognised.

The Islington North MP made it clear that our standard of living is dependent upon the work of immigrant labour and always has been; a point that needs to be made repeatedly, given the negative associations that are often made in some areas of the press and elsewhere.

The issue of slavery is one that Jeremy has been particularly involved in over the past two years (with the 200th anniversary of the end of slavery in 2007) and the abuse of migrant workers (underpaid and/or overworked and/or trafficked) is a modern day version of slavery.

Said Jeremy Corbyn MP:
“In a multi ethnic and multi cultural society there is no excuse for migrant workers to be treated unfairly, and we have to stand up against all forms of xenophobia which work against such unity in our communities.”

The Labour government introduced a minimum wage, and it is inconceivable that anyone should be paid less than this. The government must insure that the minimum wage is safeguarded and that legislation such as the very important Gangmasters Licensing act (brought about following the death of 18 Chinese cockle pickers in 2004) is enforced.

The Islington MP referred to a Conference in 2007 he attended in Geneva on Migrant Workers where he claims he:
“was surprised to find that few European country representatives attended. Many Latin American and Asian countries were represented, which was a good thing.”

Among the points put forward by that delegation which he led, three particular areas were focussed upon as needing special attention, and Jeremy Corbyn presented these in the debate:
“First, all countries in the migration chain have a responsibility to fulfil, and they should take a critical look at themselves within this context”.

“Secondly, as parliamentarians and opinion leaders we need to speak more clearly and publicly of the important – and often indispensable – contribution of migrants to growth and prosperity. Education of everyone in the parliamentary institutions and beyond is of paramount importance.”

“Thirdly, a rights-based approach in our laws and policies on migration must be pursued. Migrants are not “commodities” of international trade. Forced Labour thrives in the absence of law protection and fundamental international labour and human rights norms apply to migrants without exception. International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, especially Numbers 97 and 143 , and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families provide an international charter on migration by setting out a broad legal frame work that specifically addresses their situation. A wider ratification of these laws is very necessary.”