By: Reena Kumar
Over half of Britian’s ethnic minorities believe the UK has become less tolerant following the vote to leave the EU according to a new poll.
The Opinium poll released on Friday (7) follows a Trade Union Congress (TUC) survey which revealed that over a third -34 per cent of Black, Asian or minority ethnic people (BAME) witnessed or experienced racial abuse in the months after the Brexit vote.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This is further evidence that Brexit has given racism a shot in the arm. Discrimination has never gone away, but since the referendum racism has been on the rise.
“It’s time for the government to act. Employers should be held accountable for staff abused by members of the public, and employment tribunal fees should be dropped.
“I’d encourage anyone who has been harassed or mistreated at work to talk to their union rep or join a trade union. And we all have a responsibility to call out racist harassment wherever we see it.”
Over 200 delegates attended the TUC Black Workers’ Conference over the weekend where they discussed issues relating to race and paid tribute to the life and achievements of the late campaigner Darcus Howe who died earlier this month.
The TUC polling showed that
1 in 5 BAME people (19 per cent) have suffered or witnessed racial assault
2 in 5 (41 per cent) have heard racist remarks or opinions
2 in 5 people (38 per cent) have seen racist material online
1 in 4 (27 per cent) have seen racist graffiti, posters or leaflets
