Riots, Immigration and the cleaning industry: taking a stance

In light of the recent riots in UK cities and towns, the cleaning industry needs to take a clear stance on immigration.

False rumours

This summer has seen riots in the UK, with attacks on Asian-owned businesses, mosques, and on hotels housing asylum seekers. Following the tragic stabbing of 3 young girls at a dance workshop in Southport, false rumours circulated on social media that the attacker was a Muslim migrant. This sparked anti-immigration protests led by far-right groups, erupting into violence, and igniting fear in local communities.

Immigration fears

We can try to understand the fears and insecurities which lead people to join far-right groups. There were claims that immigration had led to more crime and violence as well as attacks on women and girls. Ordinary members of our communities, whipped up by disinformation, became drawn into the unrest. Families with children in pushchairs could be seen on the edge of the demonstrations, cheering as masked protesters smashed windows and attacked Police.

However, while we acknowledge the fears that led to the protests, we must also counter this with our own experience.

Immigration and the cleaning industry

The cleaning industry as a whole is experiencing a recruitment crisis, with an estimated 225,000 vacancies unfilled. Many jobs in the cleaning industry are low paid, and sadly, perceived as low status, and many UK-born people choose to work in other sectors.

However, cleaning work is vital, as we came to appreciate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cleaning industry relies on immigration. Without it, many businesses, schools, hospitals and homes would not be able to maintain the standards of cleaning and hygiene we all expect.

Our experience of immigration

As an agency, most of our cleaning colleagues are migrants who have come to the UK from abroad. Over the last 13 years, we have found colleagues who are hardworking. ‘They’ contribute to our economy and pay their taxes. And ‘they’ are proud people who do not want to claim state benefits. In fact, ‘they’ are often working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet.

Our experience is of people who are warm and hospitable and who understand the value of community. They help their neighbours with shopping or fixing things around the home, and do all the things a great neighbour should.

‘They’ value education and the opportunities which come with being a citizen of the UK. Often we see our cleaning colleagues progress to other jobs in sectors that help our society, such as healthcare.

‘They’ are just people like you and me.

In the light of industries like cleaning, I believe we need to take a more positive stance on immigration and our wider community. It’s time to talk, so we can counter the false messages that feed fear and anger. It’s time to recognise and celebrate the value that immigration brings to our country.