URGENT - DEMO IN LONDON FRIDAY PM

Unite leads protest outside Ministry of Justice

When: Friday 18 June, 2010 at 4.30pm

Where: Ministry of Justice, 102 Petty France, Westminster, SW1H 9AJ

Unite will lead a protest outside the Ministry of Justice on 18th June over the government's refusal to provide a relatively small amount of money to bail out Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) which has gone into administration resulting from the failings in the Legal Services Commission's funding regime. Government could choose to save it.

A high profile list of speakers will be addressing the demonstration.

RMJ - the largest provider of specialist legal advice for asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in England and Wales - went into administration on June 16, 2010 and will be closing its doors for the last time next Wednesday.

Ahead of the budget next week, Unite believes that George Osborne could have revealed what was meant by "compassionate Conservatism" by saving RMJ. The jobs of over 300 solicitors, legal advisers and staff, and the plight of up to 10,000 vulnerable adults, including 900 children will be affected by the government's decision. Many of RMJ’s clients will face being returned to countries where they face persecution and where their lives will be put in danger.

Rachael Maskell, Unite national officer, said: "We now understand the value that this government puts on charities and the most disadvantaged in our communities, they simply turn their back and walk away. They don't care that many refugees and migrants will lose their vital support from professional advisers and will simply be returned to the countries they fled from as they came to seek safety in the UK."

"With the budget just days away, George Osborne could save this organisation. Government has a simple choice, they could walk away or show that they really value charities and will help them to play their role in the ‘Big Society’.

"The workforce who are more concerned for their clients than themselves will also be cast aside, adding nearly 350 more people to the unemployed list."


RMJ used to get paid monthly, but is now only paid after each case is closed – many cases last many months or even years. No charity can be expected to wait that long for payment and many law centres are finding it difficult to cope with the new payment system. David Cameron’s claims to value the work of charities rings very hollow indeed.
RMJ (formerly the Refugee Legal Centre) was founded in 1992 and in the last year alone has helped over 11,000 people. Closure would mean that up to 10,000 vulnerable people will be left without legal representation, including 900 children. Many will face being returned to countries where they face persecution and their lives are in danger.
So far the Ministry of Justice has declined to help RMJ. Unite is calling for RMJ to be saved and for proper legal aid funding to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society have real access to justice.
Cuts in public spending are affecting the poorest people right across our society. But these people did not cause the economic crisis and should not be made to pay for it. This government has the choice to support the most marginalised people in our society or face asylum chaos.

Unite, the union which represents RMJ’s 340 staff, has called a demonstration outside the Ministry of Justice at 4.30pm on Friday, 18th June 2010.