People's Democracy

UNITED KINGDOM

Visa Bonds Scrapped, IWA GB Stresses Vigil

Harsev Bains

THE Indian Workers Association of Great Britain (IWA GB) has welcomed the decision by the government of the country to withdraw the racially discriminatory proposal of implementing visa “bonds” which were to come into effect from November 1, 2013.

The IWA GB has also thanked all other organisations and individuals, including Virendra Sharma, member of the UK parliament from Ealing Southall, for their magnificent support in opposing the proposal for getting 3000 pound sterling visa bond (deposit) that was to be implemented by the Entry Clearance Officers for the visitors coming from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Nigeria. Significantly, these countries have been termed to be six high risk countries.

The move to withdraw the proposal is a kind of recognition of the enormous benefits Great Britain would get from foreign investment. According to the official OECD figures, Indian entrepreneurs invested 35 billion pounds in the UK, while the UK based companies invested only 20 billion pounds in India. This means a net gain of 15 billion pounds in Britain’s favour. This investment --- most noticeable in the motor, engineering, food and steel industries --- is creating a large number of jobs for the people in Britain.

The IWA GB also noted that the vans going round with the inflammatory slogan “Go home or face arrest” --- as the part of a campaign --- have also been withdrawn. They have, however, been replaced by an equally obnoxious campaign of sending texts on flawed data to the legally settled British citizens.

Saying that now we are heading towards the local and European elections in 2014 and general elections in 2015, the IWA GB said this requires vigilance on part of the settlers. On its part, the IWA GB said it would continue to challenge the discriminatory practices.