CSP challenges exploitation and microaggressions at work

Across the three days of debate, the seven CSP representatives delivered powerful speeches about issues affecting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) workers. 

Our members called for greater protection for migrant skilled workers from exploitative practices linked to the UK’s skilled worker visa system and highlighted the continued prevalence of microaggressions in the workplace.

Protecting migrant skilled workers 

Many internationally trained BAME workers have found themselves trapped in toxic workplaces due to a fear of losing their visas. In some cases, sponsorship status has been used as leverage to silence staff, discourage union membership, and limit professional expression.

Delivering a compelling speech on the CSP’s motion about protecting migrant skilled workers, Nonso Asouzu, a physiotherapist at Kent Community Health NHS Trust, said:

A fair and equitable migration system must do more than fill workforce gaps. It must protect people.

It must ensure that no one is silenced by the threat of deportation. 

'That no one is discouraged from joining a union. That no one is forced to choose between their rights and their residency.’ 

The CSP's motion called on the TUC to:  

• Continue its support for the skilled worker visa. Ensuring those in the UK on the visa continue to be protected from the threat of losing their visa and UK livelihood.   

• Amplify migrant voices and continue to counter anti-migrant narratives, which cause fear, harm, abuse, false narratives, and violence.  

Conference voted to pass the motion.   

The CSP has a range of resources for internationally qualified physiotherapists who want to work in the UK, as well as for employers recruiting physiotherapy staff who have qualified overseas.

Tackling microaggressions at work 

Microaggressions are the most common form of discrimination. They are often subtle and unintentional, but over time, repeated microaggressions undermine dignity, confidence, and cause work-related stress. 

The CSP spoke in solidarity with the FDA union’s motion about tackling microaggressions at work. 

Emelie Anekwu,  who is a senior physiotherapist at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust, secretary of the CSP BAME Network, and a member of the TUC Black workers committee, said: 

What’s striking is how little awareness there still is. 

'Research from the CSP’s microaggressions campaign found that only around a quarter of people in the UK are familiar with the term microaggression and nearly half wouldn’t feel confident identifying one.'

Conference voted to pass the motion. 

The CSP’s Call out Microaggressions campaign has information and resources to help reduce microaggressions in your workplace.