Date: Thur 7 April

UNISON launches project to bring refugees into jobs in Scotland's public services

UNISON, Scotland's public service union, will on Thursday, announce the launch of a new integration project bringing refugees into work in public services in the Glasgow area.

The New Workers project is a pilot funded by the Home Office, giving 16 refugees work experience in health and social care and related fields.

The refugees will all have a mentor from the trade union's wide range of lifelong learning advisors, and will be placed with an employer for a ten to twelve week period.

The launch will take place on Thursday - 7 April 2005 at 14.30 at the Radisson Hotel, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow. Chairing the launch will be Dave Watson - UNISON's Head of Policy and Information, and speaking will be Elaine Rae - Project Worker who is running the project, Jonathan Duke-Evans, Head of the Social Policy Unit at the Home Office, and Zanya Macartney, of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

This project is part of UNISONScotland's Opposing Racism action plan . It aims to try and overcome some of the learning, communications and cultural barriers that refugees face when looking for a job, and to give the union mentors and their colleagues an opportunity to learn about another culture and confront some of the media myths about refugees.

You are invited to be present at the launch and/or send reporters/photographers. All the speakers will be available for interview. Please let Elaine or Chris Bartter (below) know if you are coming. More detail is available on our website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/refugee.html

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Elaine Rae (Project officer) 0845 355 0845(w) Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser-Policy & Info) 0845 355 0845(w) 07787 558 410(m) Peter Hunter (Legal Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 07740 167 777 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558 3729(m)

Index