| | What follows is a joint statement from Professor Paul Webley and Nizam
Uddin (Co-President Students' Union) regarding an agreement that has
been reached following the protest in the Directorate office.
Students have agreed to leave the office within the next hour.
JOINT STATEMENT FROM SOAS AND STUDENTS’ UNION
Dear staff and students
Following the protest by students about Friday’s visit by the UK
Border Agency, we are pleased to confirm that a way forward has been
agreed by all parties involved.
The events surrounding last Friday have been deeply distressing for
everyone at SOAS and in particular the individuals who were detained.
Furthermore, we are disturbed by allegations that have emerged about
the possible role that ISS played in the visit.
We have agreed the following:
SOAS will write directly to the Home Secretary within 12 hours of the
end of the protest, requesting that he grants exceptional leave to
remain in the UK to those cleaners who are still being detained. In
addition, SOAS will request the immediate return of those who have
been deported and exceptional leave to remain for those forced into
hiding by Friday’s raid.
SOAS will open discussions with ISS, and separately with UNISON, UCU
and the SU, to review in detail the events of last Friday.
SOAS will discuss the possibility of bringing cleaning services
in-house at the next scheduled meeting of its Governing Body.
SOAS will meet with the relevant unions to discuss health and safety
issues relating to immigration raids and acknowledge UCU policy of
non-compliance with immigration raids.
SOAS will not take action against those involved in the protest.
This incident has highlighted the need for further debate regarding
this issue and, as has been mentioned in earlier correspondence, SOAS
will be speaking with other heads of universities about the wider
implications of the Government's policy on immigration and any likely
impact it may have on our staff and students.
We recognise the valued contribution of all migrants who have worked
at SOAS over the years and have a long tradition of welcoming people
from all over the world. In our personal capacity, we would also like
to indicate our support for the regularisation of non-documented
workers.
We would like to thank all staff and students for their valued
contributions, support and co-operation in recent days as we have
worked towards this agreement.
Professor Paul Webley
Director and Principal
Nizam Uddin
Co-President Students’ Union |
| | Posted 6/17/2009 9:57 PM - 3 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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