by Colin Turbett
Scotland’s forgotten oppressed minority – the Gypsy Traveller community,
have been dealt a blow with the finding of a recent Employment tribunal in
Aberdeen. Ken McLennan, a non Traveller, who worked for the Gypsy Traveller
Education and Information Project (GTEIP), was sacked last year. Ken took the
GTEIP to a tribunal on the basis that he had been dismissed for activities
that had upset some of the funders of the project, but which was in the interests
of this ethnic minority. The nub of his argument was that Gypsy Travellers
were a recognised ethnic minority. The GTEIP, who claim to campaign for
Gypsy Travellers, took the extraordinary step of arguing that as this had never
been tested in a Scottish Court they had no case to answer. In other words
their dismissal of Ken was legitimate because Gypsy Travellers are not an ethnic
minority and should enjoy no special protection, unlike their fellows in England
, Wales and Ireland. The Employment Judge, Nicol Hosie, then considered old
dictionary definitions of Travellers and Gypsies and concluded that Scottish
Travellers were not of Romany origin and agreed that they were not therefore
an ethnic minority who should enjoy protection under anti discriminatory race
relations law.
Until now everyone concerned with Scottish Gypsy Travellers, whether in the
Scottish Parliament, or the Commission for Racial Equality, have argued publicly
that Scottish Gypsy Travellers were of the same ethnic origin as other Travellers
in the UK. All that was necessary was a test case to put this through the Scottish
Legal System, and establish it once and for all. Whilst this would in itself
not end centuries of prejudice it would at least make it easier to challenge
modern day discrimination.
Said Gypsy Traveller activist Roseanna McPhee from Bobbin Mill site in Pitlochry: “This
has got to be challenged, and as quickly as possible. There are reasons why
after 13 years on the supply list, I cannot get a job as a Gaelic teacher.
I know what they are and they are based in discrimination pure and simple.
I am not popular because I have spoken out, and I have suffered for it.” Her
brother Shamus, who is faced with Sheriff Officer action over an unpaid Council
Tax bill is also in no doubt about the realities of the racial prejudice he
faces daily: “They want thousands from me for Council Tax. This is meant
to be payment for services but until now we have had none on this site – not
even the basics of water and electricity.”
Although the SNP Government in Holyrood seem to have no interest in Gypsy Travellers
and have dropped the momentum, backed by the SSP MSPs, which began in the last
Parliament, pressure must be placed on them to look at this again. If not then
the bigots such as Central Ayrshire Labour MP Brian Donohoe, who would almost
outlaw the mobile lifestyle, will only be encouraged.
Don't sit back - fight back. Join the SSP today!
To keep up to date with our campaigns check
out the website of the Scottish Socialist Voice, the weekly paper of the
SSP.
Read our election manifestos here