Words alone are not enough – trade unions need to take action to tackle racism  

Racism in working life is a global challenge that also trade unions need to tackle.

Racism and discrimination in workplaces remain a reality in different parts of the world, and to an alarming extent also here in Finland. Inequality in hiring, pay and career development affects many workers even when working life is strongly regulated.   

Racism is not always open discrimination – it also manifests as structural barriers that prevent career development, or as indirect discrimination, where certain groups do not get the same opportunities as others. The development of digitalisation and artificial intelligence bring also new challenges, such as biased recruitment algorithms that may be discriminatory for example against members of ethnic minorities. 

Racism divides workers unequally around the world 

Racism exists in working life globally. These are some examples: 

• In the United States Black and Hispanic workers have lower median earnings and more limited career development opportunities than White workers. 
• In the Gulf countries migrant workers, especially those coming from South Asia and Africa, often work under extremely poor and even unsafe conditions and cannot form trade unions. 
• In Europe, including Finland, the Roma people still face discrimination and racism in the labour market. 
• In Colombia Afro-Colombian people often face discrimination and racism at work and in public spaces for their colour. They also have lower average earnings than White workers. 
• In South Asian countries, such as Nepal and India, people of the lowest caste are often forced to do low-paid and dangerous work like waste management and sewer work.

Trade Unions tackle discrimination in many ways 

Trade unions have traditionally been strong champions of social justice and equality. The have had a significant influence for example in the civil rights movement in the United States and in the battle against apartheid in South Africa.  

In many countries it is thanks to trade unions that clauses against discrimination have been added to collective labour agreements, and sometimes unions have negotiated with employers about diversity programmes.  

Fighting racism requires active measures in both everyday decisions and policies.

One obvious way to eliminate racism is promoting pay equality. Today many countries have systems for anonymous recruiting where applications are assessed without the name, gender or background information of the applicant. This reduces subconscious prejudices and ensures that the applicants are assessed based on their qualifications. 

The rules of working life oblige to promoting equality and eliminating racism. PSI (Public Services International), the global trade union federation where JHL belongs, also urges its member unions to commit to anti-discrimination measures and to promote elimination of racism. 

Equal treatment increases security 

Equality in working life benefits everybody. When workplaces have a culture of non-discrimination, employees feel secure and can focus on their work without fear of racist treatment.

Words alone are not enough. Fighting racism requires active measures in both everyday decisions and policies. Tackling racism is the responsibility of every one of us, every day, and not just in the theme week. Eliminating racism and discrimination should be discussed regularly in work communities, local unions and branches and international forums. Conventions, recommendations and policies are important, and they help to fix biases in society, but everyday actions against racism are just as important. 

If you witness racism at your workplace, take action by reporting it for example to your superior, shop steward or occupational safety and health representative. Contact the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman or occupational safety and health authorities (tyosuojelu.fi) if needed. If you have become a victim of a racist crime, contact the police.