Monday 11 May 2020
Despite widespread concern, Boris Johnson did not address the issue of the disproportionate impact of Coronavirus on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
Campaigners say the measures announced yesterday will hit BAME communities harder because they are less likely to work from home, more represented in public sector and key worker roles, and more likely to use public transport. Although Johnson discouraged the use of public transport, campaigners argue that in reality many who cannot work from home will be forced to use public transport. They argue this is a shift towards the herd immunity approach initially favoured by the government in response to the Coronavirus.
The most recent figures show even with the previous lockdown regime, the UK has one of the worst per capita death tolls in the world, now with the government figure at 32,065 deaths, with only Sweden and Belgium reporting higher death rates as of yesterday. Before Johnson’s address scientists were already warning of a second wave and the death rate potentially soaring to 100,000 with the easing of the lockdown. Any further increase in the death and infection rate will continue to disproportionately impact on BAME communities.
Anti-racist campaigners demand no return to unsafe workplaces and a public inquiry into the disproportionate impact on BAME communities, in response to the easing of the lockdown announced by the government. Stand Up To Racism had launched a statement with these demands alongside Diane Abbott, and a host of MPs, trade union leaders, BAME key workers and anti racist campaigners (statement available here)
Recent figures show 28 per cent of Coronavirus deaths were people from BAME communities. The Financial Times estimates the death toll is around 55,000, much higher than the government’s figure of 32, 065. These figures indicate over 15,000 from BAME communities have died. The Office of National Statistics revealed that overall BAME communities were around twice as likely to die, with Black Caribbean people four times as likely to die.
Labour’s Diane Abbott MP said:
“Low-paid workers across the board are going to be hit by this recklessly premature move to exit the lockdown. This will also disproportionately affect black and Asian workers. No-one should be forced to risk death at work. Workers need to know they will be supported if they refuse to do so.”
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP said:
“BAME communities will be disproportionately affected by Boris Johnson’s premature easing of lockdown. Workers have the right to challenge an unsafe workplace under Section 44 of the 1996 Employment Act. Nobody should be made to go out to work until every possible effort has been made by employers & government to protect against coronavirus.”
Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said:
“The government has failed BAME communities. Actively encouraging people to go back to work and not using public transport is disingenuous as in reality many workers not working from home will be forced to use public transport. This will impact on BAME communities harder.
“With the previous lockdown Britain already had one of the worst capita death rates in the world. The government’s easing of the lockdown is creeping herd immunity and will inevitably lead to more deaths and infections, with BAME communities disproportionately hit once again.
“There were no announcements on more PPE, testing, employer risk assessments and new health and safety regimes as recommended by the TUC and affiliated trade unions. This means those unable to work from home, those forced to use public transport, will be risking their life and BAME communities disproportionately so. No one should be forced to do this. This is a violation of basic human rights. We demand no return to unsafe workplaces and a public inquiry.”
Weyman Bennett, Stand up time Racism Co-Convenor said:
“We cannot allow BAME communities to face the brunt of an incompetent government response to the Coronavirus. The government is reverting back to herd immunity with, no adequate testing and no proper plan. Boris Johnson’s loose talk will cost lives. We want a public inquiry to expose the wilful neglect of BAME communities in particular. To prevent more lives from being lost in our communities, we reject these dangerous proposals and demand no return to unsafe workplaces.”
For further quotes and information please contact:
info@standuptoracism.org.uk