as to how the policies of the Coalition Govt will have a disproportionately negative affect on women's rights in the UK.
This government is making a big deal of flaunting its 'migration cap' and at the same time effectively withdrawing the right to legal representation for many migrants, by withdrawing legal aid.
This report, although based on research carried out in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden, illustrates how these policies will harm the rights of women living in the UK.
"There is evidence that care needs are likely to increase in the future. According to Eurostat estimates, the proportion of the population aged 80 years or over in the EU 27 will triple from 4.66% in 2008 to 12.12% in 2060.25 Even more relevant, the old-age- dependency ratio26 will increase, which means there will be fewer young people to look after the growing elderly population."
"Migrant domestic workers make an important social and economic contribution to European households and societies, and are likely to do so even more in future. Insufficient legal avenues to address actual labour demand can contribute to an increase in irregular work by migrants. In addition, when work permits are tied to employers and/or to the work
sector, workers may fall back into an irregular status through no fault of their own. Women may lose residence rights as a result of divorce and become
irregular. In other cases, employers may not fulfil certain requirements needed to extend the residence permit."
"Migrant domestic workers are vulnerable to discrimination on several grounds. They are mainly women and thus specifically vulnerable to gender-
based forms of discrimination and violence. They are migrants and thus exposed to racial discrimination. In addition, they work in one of the few sectors with limited labour law standards. The fact that most domestic workers are female migrants performing informal, poorly paid and unprotected work is a clear example of multiple discrimination."
"In the light of the particular vulnerability of domestic workers to labour exploitation and violations of their rights at work, the question of access to legal redress and protection is crucial. The existence of effective remedies depends not only on the accessibility of institutional justice systems to migrants in an irregular situation, but on the support that civil society actors provide. Adequate remedies should also include compensation, especially for victims of forced labour, with a view to avoid subjecting victims to new violations."
"The absence of legal assistance can constitute a major obstacle to the enjoyment and exercise of irregular domestic workers? rights, particularly if they do not possess the means to pay a lawyer. Aside from Article 47 of the Charter, one can also refer to the relevant ECtHR case law, in accordance with which provision should be made for legal aid where the absence of such aid would make it impossible to ensure an effective remedy."
Feminism: Sex & gender discussions
Another stark warning
Thistledew · 07/07/2011 10:02
FFS. I always seem to manage to post stuff that no-one else is interested in. 
I didn't see this earlier.
It is concerning I agree. I am very very against the removal of legal aid from so many people, though I admit I hadn't thought about it from this angle at all. I have signed a petition and emailed my MP about it.
Women always bear the brunt in recession don't they. Always. It's so utterly utterly depressing and because we're talking about migrants I bet a large part of the country won't give a shit. 
I started to type out a reply but deleted it on the basis that what I need to say to refute your diatribe is already in the original article. I therefore conclude that you are either haven't read it properly or that you are so wedded to your hatred of 'immigrants' that you do not actually want to enter into a reasoned debate.
If you wish to offer an informed, considered response as to why you think this isn't a problem, great. I'll debate it with you. But I have better things to do than waste my sunday evening talking to someone spouting angry hate speech.
Have a 
and 
to reduce your blood pressure. Life must be hard for you judging by the amount of aggression you're displaying.
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