The Brutalisation of the Workplace

By Dave Whtye

Big Brother state is getting bigger, in some areas. Immigration officers in the UK have had their numbers increased by 34% since 1992. By contrast there are now 16% fewer health and safety inspectors than there were in 1999

Last year the British government doubled the money available to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, but reduced funding, in real terms, to the Health and Safety Executive.

The government reaction to the tragic deaths of cockle pickers at Morecambe Bay in February was an example of the government's priorities and racism. Home Secretary Blunkett announced a new ID card system to protect migrant workers. In their view the cause of the deaths was the rise in illegal immigration, not the complete absence of safety controls. The political message was clear, it was their fault for coming in the first place.

(Red Pepper, no 119, May 2004)