Unite BAEM statements and solidarity messages

Updates from Unite's BAEM sector

This page contains a selection of the statements and solidarity messages from Unite's BAEM sector.

Statement of solidarity with the people of Nepal - September 2026

On behalf of the National Black and Asian Ethnic Minority Committee (NBAEM), we extend our deepest thoughts, solidarity and heartfelt regards to the people of Nepal, and particularly to the families and communities affected during this incredibly difficult time.

Our thoughts are with the families and communities of Nepal facing loss, displacement and uncertainty, as well as with our Nepalese members, colleagues and their families who may be worried about loved ones at home. We stand with you all.

We recognise and commend the efforts of the emergency services, humanitarian organisations, volunteers and ordinary people working tirelessly to help and support those in need. In moments of crisis, it is often the courage, compassion and solidarity of people standing together that provides hope when it is needed most.

To our Nepalese comrades, colleagues and communities here in the UK, and to those with loved ones in Nepal, please know that you are very much in our thoughts.

At this difficult time, let us come together in compassion and solidarity with the people and families of Nepal, keeping them firmly in our thoughts.

Our message is simple: Nepal, you are not alone. At this time of sadness, loss and uncertainty, we stand alongside the people of Nepal in solidarity and compassion. We hold in our thoughts all those whose lives have been affected and send our heartfelt wishes for strength, comfort and hope to the families and communities facing the difficult days ahead.

In solidarity, the chair of The National Black and Asian Ethnic Minorites Committee.

Unite Equalities statement on the Death of Dr Jason Arday - August 2026

RIP Dr Jason Arday Unite the union is deeply saddened by the death of Dr Jason Arday. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, colleagues, and students, all of whom are grieving the loss of a remarkable individual whose contribution to education and social justice touched many lives.

Currently, our foremost thoughts are with those closest to Jason. No family should have to endure such a profound loss in the full glare of public attention. We respectfully ask that his family and loved ones be given the privacy, space and compassion they need to grieve and remember him in peace.

Dr Arday's achievements inspired countless people, particularly those from communities that continue to face barriers and discrimination. His life and work stood as a powerful reminder of the importance of equality, opportunity and inclusion.

Unite shares the concerns expressed across the trade union movement regarding reports of the harassment, racism and intense public scrutiny that Dr Arday experienced. Everyone is entitled to dignity, fairness and due process, regardless of the circumstances or allegations they face.

As an anti-racist union, Unite remains steadfast in challenging racism in all its forms and in defending the right of Black workers and other underrepresented groups to participate fully in public and professional life without fear of discrimination, vilification, or disproportionate targeting. We support a free and independent press, but with that freedom comes a responsibility to report with accuracy, fairness and humanity, recognising the very real impact that sustained public scrutiny can have on an individual’s dignity, privacy and wellbeing.

We stand in solidarity with all those mourning Jason's loss and hope that this tragedy encourages reflection on how we treat one another in public life, while renewing our commitment to equality, respect and compassion for all.

Unite commits to Windrush generation and its legacy - Monday 22 June 2026

Windrush Day is a commemoration in the United Kingdom held on 22 June to honour the contributions of the Windrush generation to the post-war economy

“Today is Windrush Day, this is not just a day to remember the Windrush generation, but to honour them and to speak their truth, and to defend their legacy. They came to this country in its hour of need. After the devastation of war, Britain called and they answered. They, worked in our NHS, drove our buses, built our railways, powered our industries, and strengthened our communities. They gave their labour, their skill, their culture, and their courage. And let us be clear they did not just help build Britain. They are Britain. They are the communities that we live in today.

“But recognition alone is not enough. “Because alongside this story of contribution and sacrifice, there is also a story of injustice. Members of the Windrush generation are people who gave decades of their lives to this country and were betrayed. They have been denied healthcare, denied homes, denied dignity. Some were detained. Some were deported. Families were torn apart. That was not just a failure of policy. It was a failure of humanity. And today, as trade unionists, as part of Unite, we say this clearly: An injury to one is an injury to all. The lessons of Windrush are not locked in the past.

"It shows a direct link to the present. We see it in ongoing inequalities at work, in the hostile environment, in insecurity for migrant workers, and in divisions that try to pit worker against worker. But Unite rejects division. We know the truth: whether you came on Windrush, whether your family has been here for generations, or whether you arrived yesterday! Working people share the same struggles and the same rights. The right to decent work. The right to fair pay. The right to dignity. The right to belong. That is what solidarity means.

“So today, we do more than remember. We commit. We commit to fighting racism wherever it exists, in workplaces, in systems, in society. We commit to standing up for justice for every worker, no matter where they come from. And we commit to ensuring that what happened to the Windrush generation is never allowed to happen again. Because the true way to honour Windrush is not with words alone. It is with unity. It is with action. It is with unwavering solidarity.” - Sharon Harding, Unite nation equalities officer, BAEM and disabilities

Unite Equalities statement 2026: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

International day for remembrance of slave trade meme 2023 The 23 August is the day that Unite remembers the millions of African men, women and children who suffered, resisted and died because of the transatlantic slave trade. We honour their memory and pay tribute to those whose courage and determination helped secure abolition. The legacy of slavery continues to be felt today through racial inequality, discrimination and injustice. As a trade union founded on the principles of solidarity, equality and justice, Unite remains committed to tackling racism in all its forms and ensuring that every worker is treated with dignity and respect.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has made clear that the union has "an absolute zero tolerance on racism" and that equalities are at the heart of everything Unite does. Through initiatives to strengthen support for discrimination cases, develop Black and Asian Ethnic Minority activists and promote equality across our union, Unite is committed to turning words into action.

We also recognise that the fight against exploitation did not end with abolition. Modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour continue to blight the lives of millions across the world. Unite will continue to campaign for stronger protections for workers, accountability for employers and the eradication of all forms of exploitation in our workplaces and supply chains. On this day of remembrance, we recommit ourselves to building a society free from racism, modern slavery and inequality, where every worker can live and work with freedom, dignity and justice.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition reminds us of one of humanity's greatest injustices and of the courage of those who resisted it. Their legacy challenges us to continue the fight against racism, inequality and exploitation wherever it exists. Unite will always stand up for dignity, equality and justice for all workers."