BAME and Covid-19

As statistics show that BAME communities are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, Prospect has produced a new briefing on Managing disparities in risk, the role of ethnicity in COVID-19 health and safety to go alongside our back to workplaces health & safety resources.

It includes a checklist to help branches consider issues for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members when identifying workplace risks, as well as a Q&A and ideas to involve such members.

• Health and safety

• Self-employment Income Support Scheme

• Furlough and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

• Pensions

• Rights at work

For the latest guidance, information and advice on COVID-19, visit Bectu’s coronavirus hub. This area is being updated all the time so keep looking.

Here are the things BECTU are doing as a union:

• Ensuring the BAME issues, and those of other groups of workers at risk, are raised by Reps in undertaking assessments for a return to work.

• Alongside the Mayor of London, health groups and many other unions, we have called for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to undertake a public inquiry into the structural and institutional impacts facing BAME communities.

• Looking at how we can support our own BAME networks to ensure that the voices of BAME workers are present in our activities.

BECTU Art Department Branch recognises this is part of a broader debate about BAME and socio-economic disadvantage.

The Committee is always keen to hear your input, please get in touch with us to share your story and thoughts.