The Official Newsletter of the March 2009 • Volume 2 Chinese rient for Labour O Labour will make a submission to the children with disabilities, or children under Message conference. the age of six (up to 16 from April); and But it is not just Parliament that needs last year extended the right to request to from the to move into the 21st century. In local work flexibly to carers of adults – so government, women from minority ethnic important for proper family care and backgrounds account for only 168 out of support for older relatives. We have also Prime 20,000 councillors in England. That is why boosted women’s enterprise including I established last year a cross-party piloting women’s business centres, Minister for taskforce, chaired by Baroness Uddin, to creating a fund to invest in women-led encourage more BAME women to get businesses, and helping to set up a Chinese involved in their local councils. women’s business centre of expertise. 2. If a member of the Chinese 6. Where does the Labour Party stand New Year community is interested in holding on Chinese participation in public public office, where and how do they office? start? The Labour Party wants more Chinese Join the local Labour Party and they will participation in public office in every walk provide information about standing as a of life. Visibility and involvement is not candidate in local, national or European only important for individuals, but for elections. The independent Electoral society and the economy. When people Commission also has advice on its are excluded, communities feel resentful, website. and society is not at ease with itself. A progressive society thrives in a culture of 3. The Chinese community in Britain is inclusion and equality. sometimes referred to as “seen and not heard”. How can we encourage leaders 7. Significant numbers of Chinese in of the Chinese community to step this country have not registered to vote. forward and be heard? It is thought that of those who are There is what I call a “democratic deficit” registered, only a small proportion in Parliament where there are no Chinese actually vote. What is the Labour Party, MPs and the Chinese community is also along with the Electoral Commission, chronically under-represented in local doing to remedy this? government. I believe that the Speaker’s The Electoral Commission estimates that Conference and Baroness Uddin’s across the country there are as many as 3 taskforce are a much-needed opportunity to 4 million people not registered to vote, to tackle this imbalance. and they are disproportionately minority Perhaps Chinese for Labour could set ethnic, young and less well off. up its own mentoring network with Recognising the danger to democracy, successful Chinese entrepreneurs we have introduced an act of parliament, encouraging more voices to be heard. the Electoral Administration Act, which puts a duty on electoral registration 4. The last Chinese peer, Lord Chan, officers to do more to ensure they get died three years ago and there are everyone registered. My own view is that if currently no Chinese in the House of this doesn’t work, and we still have Lords. What is the Labour Party doing inequality in the right to vote, we are going about this? to have to turn the whole system around The Labour Party takes very seriously its and actually give people the right to vote, commitment to diversity and fair rather than make them apply for it. representation on the Lords benches. Local MPs can find out the numbers of Chinese constituents, their level of support 5. Many Chinese women in Britain are and turnout. This analysis could help you active in their local communities. As increase recruitment and registration Minister for Women, can you comment drives within the community. And another on what the Labour Party is doing to important thing that Chinese for Labour recognise these individuals? could do is lobby local councils and your Labour has doubled childcare places individual councillors to produce more since 1997; introduced the right to request materials in Chinese about how to get on flexible working for employees who have the electoral register.

Labour Deputy Leader responds to questions from The Orient 1. Not all ethnic minorities are Labour has satisfactorily represented in the British taken the historic Parliament – what is the Labour Party step of setting up doing to redress this imbalance? a Speaker’s Society has changed and the make-up of Conference to Parliament needs to change too. Our improve the country is ethnically diverse, but out of representation of 646 MPs only 15 are Black or Asian. To women, disabled reflect our population, we need more than and minority ethnic people in the House of four times more Black and Asian people Commons. It will operate like a Select elected. Committee inquiry and I hope Chinese for Continued on Page 2 Chinese for Labour, I said that my priority would be to put Labour into Chinese and Chinese into Labour. Now, what do I mean by that? Chinese values are Labour values – working class families working hard; wanting the best for their children so that they can move up the social ladder; supporting the family and community network; enhancing entrepreneurship. These are intrinsic Labour values, which we sign up to. It has often been said that the Sonny Leong Chinese community is seen and not heard. This may give the impression that From the Chair… we are not interested in politics, but could not be further from the truth. In UNG Hee Fatt Choy, Sun Lin Fai fact, we are very political, with politics Lock. A very happy and commonly debated over dim sum in K prosperous Chinese New Year to restaurants up and down the country. It all our readers. This year will be a is due in part to weakness, a lack of challenging one – for businesses and perseverance and leadership skills and families. We have to work and strive even an unwillingness to stand up and be harder to ride these very difficult counted. Remember, there is no going economic times. But the Chinese have back, we are no longer in transit. This is survived difficult times before, facing up our home and Britain is our country. to and taking on all the challenges thrown United we stand, divided we fall. at them – it’s in our DNA. I have no doubt Compare us to the Jewish community, that we will come through this a stronger which is smaller in size yet exerts community. influence throughout society. So I say to In 1686, the first recorded Chinese my community, it’s time to stand up and person, Shen Fu Tsong, arrived at the be counted. Put yourself forward, and if English court of King James II. Little did you know someone else who has he know that over 300,000 people of something to contribute, encourage Chinese origin would follow in his them. No more sitting on the sidelines, or footsteps and call Britain home. Today, worse, on the fence. 323 years later, there is a vibrant Chinese Our Prime Minister said in his recent community in Britain, successfully Chinese New Year’s message: “This year integrated in mainstream society. I hope to see many more Chinese people The Chinese community has had many take up roles in public life and politics successes – across finance, education, too. In each field, the Chinese population research, science, the creative industries, brings a resilience and industriousness the health service and the hospitality and that is truly inspiring and which will catering industries. The one area that we contribute to Britain’s long term have not been successful in is prosperity.” participation in public life. There is no We have already waited too long – 323 Chinese MP and only a handful of years to be exact – we need councillors and other public officers. representation in Parliament and now is When I was elected as Chair of the time to take up this challenge! London has a lot to learn from Beijing

RESIDENT of the Commonwealth Moynihan, a silver medallist at the Journalist Association, Hassan Moscow Games in 1980, went to Beijing PShahriar, attributed the success of on six occasions, as well as attending all the Beijing Olympics to the joint efforts of the games since Moscow. He added: “The the Chinese government and the Chinese construction of Beijing's Olympic facilities people. and support services is number one in the Shahriar was deeply impressed by the world. Beijing has been greatly hospitality of the Chinese government and transformed with the high growth rate of the Chinese people and appreciated the the country's economy during the years of Olympic volunteers very much. “They not preparation for the Games. In many only spoke good English,” he said, “but respects, Beijing is a new city now.” were very friendly and helpful. The Chinese The BOA Chairman stressed that people also showed their hospitality. When London should learn from Beijing by we went shopping or walked in the streets, starting construction early: “It is always Chinese people would come and ask if we better to be early than late in preparation needed help. The Olympics gave a chance for such a big event like the Olympic for China to expose its culture and history Games. Another lesson London should to the world. Because of the Olympics, learn is the Beijing Olympic Organising Beijing became a household-known name Committee's attention to detail - Beijing's throughout the world.” attention to detail can be best illustrated Commenting on Beijing’s remarkable by the diversity of the food available and success story in terms of the preparation different cultural backgrounds of athletes. of Olympic facilities, Lord Colin Moynihan, Attention to detail is one of the Chairman of the British Olympic contributions Beijing has made to the Association (BOA) said: “London has a lot Olympic movement.” to learn from Beijing, in both the In order to learn from Beijing, the UK construction of Olympic facilities and sent over 100 officials and professionals to infrastructure.” work along with their Beijing counterparts.

Demystifying the Chinese language N 2006, Brighton College find the different characters fun and grasp (www.brightoncollege.net), an the different tones well, it's like singing for Iindependent school in East Sussex, them. The more we demystify the going to be the executives of the future: 1994 to promote through its member became the first in the UK to make the language, the more people will learn it. At “China's economy is growing so quickly schools Chinese language, education and Mandarin Chinese language compulsory the moment it is still seen as exotic and a and becoming so influential in the world Chinese culture. for pupils, alongside French, Spanish and bit strange, which can put people off. But economy that people can't afford to ignore The federation has seen its membership Latin. This month, Brighton College is that's changing.” it. People who want to be ahead in continue to increase and today has about hosting its first National Chinese Teaching Business experts are in no doubt about whatever industry need to think about one hundred member schools, Conference: ‘Working Together’. how important Mandarin will become over China and learning Chinese.” representing over 13,000 pupils with about Dr Frances Weightman, a lecturer in the next few years. BBC business reporter Added impetus comes from the UK 50 schools in southern England, 30 in Chinese Studies at the University of Mary Hennock believes that students Federation of Chinese Schools northern England and 20 in Scotland and Leeds, said: “It really appeals to kids, they speaking fluent English and Chinese are (www.ukfcs.info), a charity founded in Northern Ireland. 2 The Orient • March 2009 Volume 2 public service roles and some of them are Chinese also being recognised through various Celebrating awards or honours. Yet whatever their background or educational levels, only a the Year of Women: very small minority are engaged in public life or actively involved in society. Politics is not a common topic around dinner the Ox realising their tables at home. Up to now, there has been only a handful of Chinese women N Wednesday 11 February politicians active in this country. 2009, over 180 potential Interestingly, Northern Ireland fares better Osupporters, well-wishers with the first Chinese woman having been and guests attended the Chinese for Labour Chinese New Year by Lady Katy Tse Blair elected to the NI Assembly. In order to uplift the profile of Chinese Gala Banquet to help celebrate women and to enable them to be more the Year of the Ox at the Phoenix N 1985, the House of Commons, Home visible in society, they have to help Palace Restaurant in Central Affairs Committee published the first themselves to bring about long term London. This year’s Banquet Idetailed parliamentary report on Britain’s change. Being illiterate in English attracted several Members of third largest ethnic minority – the Chinese. language is not an excuse for not Parliament, Peers and Senior The report recognised that the community understanding the importance of Ministers, among them Rt Hon suffered “serious difficulties” which have integration. Lacking either element will be Lord , Rt Hon gone unnoticed and which “justify unfavourable in making their voices heard. , Rt Hon James separate attention to their needs by As Women’s Officer within Chinese for Purnell, Rt Hon and government and local authorities”. Labour I have the important task in Rt Hon Stephen Timms. The Consigned to two short paragraphs of the communicating this message to Chinese Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon report under ‘Other Matters’ the Home women. Hopefully, more and more of them Brown and Rt Hon Harriet Affairs Committee conceded that “several will recognise their own potential in Harman sent messages of aspects of Chinese life in Britain render helping to bring about improvements to support for the evening. The many Chinese women extremely isolated. their community. Collectively, we can Chinese Embassy was also Lacking command of English, they cannot support more women to improve represented by Madam Lu Xu, play any part in or understand their themselves and thus come forward to Counsellor and Consul General, children’s education; they are likely to represent the Labour Party at all levels. and Mr Lin Xu, Counsellor. The evening started with a champagne reception with canapés, and a sit down ten-course dinner. Opening the evening, Chair of Chinese for Labour, Sonny Leong spoke on the need for more Chinese people to take up roles in public life and politics. He also emphasised that Chinese values are Labour values – working class families working hard, wanting the best for their children so that they can move up the social ladder, supporting the family and community network, enhancing entrepreneurship – these are intrinsic Labour values. Each of the Secretaries of State gave speeches and encouraged more representation from the Chinese people in all walks of public life. Rt Hon Peter Mandelson spoke of the close bi-lateral relations between China and Britain. The charismatic broadcaster, writer, award- winning comedian and social activist, Simon Fanshawe compèred and conducted a series of auctions throughout the evening. Leonard Cheshire Disability was the evening’s charity, and thousands of pounds was raised to support their excellent work with disabled people in over 50 countries, including China and in East Asia. We were entertained by the fabulous Paul ‘Chinese Elvis’ Courtney-Hyu. His rendition of Blue Suede Shoes and other classics got everyone tapping and clapping. Our thanks go to all those who donated auction and raffle prizes, and our generous sponsors, Mr Raymond & Mrs Angela Sui of Phoenix Palace Restaurant, Sunnyfield Veg Ltd, Cook’s Delight, Central Equity Group, and See Woo.

have little time with their husbands; they are dependent on their husbands for had to pay heavy registration fees to now I’m waiting for the Authority to revoke finances, which can often lead to Morecambe Bay recruiters who not only control their work a license of a gangmaster who’s been squabbles or even more serious marital but also their housing. The workers had to operating a concentration-like workplace breaches.” The majority of these Chinese – have we learnt pay extra money to the employment for a decade – and this is only one of women the report referred to were agency to secure work. They were paid many. probably originally from the New Territories anything? less than half of what the local workers On top of this, the increase in the in Hong Kong. were paid, and their wages were often cut immigration raids and the climate of The emergence of Chinese community at random. crackdown on “illegal working” has centres over the past twenty years by Hsiao-Hung Pai The Chinese workers had no idea that, deepened the plight of the undocumented throughout the UK has been extremely in a First World country like Britain, there migrants. There is much evidence to say important in providing a positive setting IVE years have passed since that is no First World working conditions for all. that, the crackdown has pushed many for Chinese women to congregate and Yuan Xiao night on 5 February, 2004, There is not even licensing requirement for workers into higher-risk jobs and receive support. These may range from Fwhen 23 Chinese workers tragically temporary employment agencies. But the destitution. More and more Chinese advice and information on welfare, drowned at Morecambe Bay. When their workers did know that, they were toiling workers have lost their jobs in Chinese education for their children, domestic gangmaster was convicted of 21 counts of for a factory that supplies Sainsburys. All restaurants and takeaways and have abuse, health, etc to recreational and manslaughter in March 2006, Britain was throughout their work journey in Britain – resorted to selling DVDs on the street, cultural activities as well as training. Since prepared to put the tragedy behind it. from food-processing, agriculture, housekeeping in massage parlours, or the 1985 report was compiled, the number But for the families of the victims in construction, to catering and domestic becoming trapped in worse, more of women arriving from mainland China Fujian, misery had only begun. As they work – they have seen their labour dangerous workplaces. Will we be has certainly increased. Their needs might lost the breadwinners of the families, they exploited for the needs of the multinational surprised if there is another Morecambe not be identical to their friends from Hong have not been able to pay off the debts retailers and the growth of British Bay? Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius etc (£15,000 on average per family). Out of the economy. They knew that they were The Morecambe Victims Fund aims to but the demand for support is far greater 36 children of the 22 families that I have contributing to the wealth of Britain. They raise £36,000 for the total education costs as some of them require more delicate been in contact with, 11 of them have knew that this country needs them but for all the 36 children. If you would like to and emotional assistance due to the dropped out of school because the does not want to recognise them. sponsor a child directly, please go to: nature of their stay in this country. families couldn’t afford their education. Tragically, in the five years www.ghost.anice.co.uk In general, linguistic barriers are still These children have been working to following the Morecambe Bay their biggest handicap. These prohibit support the families. tragedy, the same conditions that them to access education or training to Since the Morecambe Bay tragedy, I’d witnessed in Thetford have employment. Integration into the wider working conditions have not improved for continued to be the common day- community is not on their agenda. They migrant workers, particularly the to-day experience of migrant are insular and their major role is usually at undocumented migrant workers in Britain. workers in Britain. Things have not home raising children. While many are Since February 2004, I’d lived and changed for the better. The unskilled or qualified, others are well- worked with a group of undocumented Gangmasters Licensing Authority, educated and engaged in professional Chinese workers in Thetford and despite its work, has issued jobs eg lawyers, doctors, teachers, witnessed a wildly unregulated recruitment licenses to numerous gangmasters nurses, etc. Many contribute distinctively world where local employment agencies who violate licensing standards. It in social welfare, albeit most of them are made profits on the sweat and blood of is as easy as before for those at unsung heroes working in kitchens. cheap Chinese labour. Workers were the top of the supply chains to Increasing numbers are appointed to subjected to extreme exploitation: They shrug off responsibilities. Right The Orient • March 2009 Volume 2 3 Executive Committee Members 2008/2009 Sonny Leong Deputy Leader of the Council for a number of Chinese People. He works tirelessly for the Primary Care Trust. Sonny Leong is Chair of Chinese for Labour and a years. Currently, she is the Chair of Southwark Chinese community in various capacities. Stephen member of the Labour Party 1000 Club. He was Primary Care Trust, a position she has held for a was joint winner of the Outstanding Contribution Tai Lau Executive Chairman of a publishing company, and number of years. to Community Volunteering Award in 2005. Tai re-joined Chinese for Labour at the AGM in grew it to be the largest independent academic In recognition of her services to the Chinese 2007 and is a member of the Executive law publisher in the UK before selling the business Community and to the wider community, Mee Ling Soon Hoe Teh Committee. He is committed to raising the in 2006 to pursue his private aviation business. He was awarded an OBE. Teh is the Treasurer and Membership Secretary of Chinese profile in UK politics. Tai is an architect, is currently Chairman of a public listed private CfL. Teh was a Councillor in Barnet from 2002 to Chartered member of Royal Institute of British aviation business and a non executive Director of Peter Ton-That 2006 and has also been a Non-Executive Director Architects, member of Architects Registration several companies. He is the Ambassador for Help Peter joined CfL at the AGM in 2007, is the other of Barnet Primary Care Trust. Teh has now retired Board and British Expertise. He is also currently the Aged, and assists in promoting their policies to Vice Chair. He is also the Secretary of CfL and has from these activities. involved as a member of the London Equal ministers, MPs and peers. Sonny is a very already contributed much of his time to CfL since Opportunity Federation. Tai brings with him vast resourceful and energetic member. He has initiated he joined. Peter works as a project manager at JP Lady Katy Tse Blair experience in urban regeneration and social a number of issues, such as the CfL Membership Morgan and has experience in financial services . Katy is one of the Founders of Chinese for Labour housing projects. Tai has many interests in the Strategy, and has begun setting out the process of He is also an active member in the Labour Party in and Islington Chinese Association. Katy is a wider community. He was an assessor of the establishing a closer link with the Parliamentary Tower Hamlets and Chair of LienViet, a housing member of the Executive Committee of CfL and London Art Lottery with experience of community Labour Party. He has also taken on the association which provides housing mainly for her contribution to the Committee is much affairs and has much to contribute to CfL. responsibility for publishing the CfL Newsletter Chinese and Vietnamese. Peter ran the London appreciated. She is very committed to helping and and managing its website. Marathon in 2004 and is keen on sport, including improving the life of Chinese people in the Yue-Ting Cheng tennis. He stood for the Council election in Tower community. She works tirelessly to ensure that Yue-Ting works for the TSSA Transport Union in Mee Ling Ng, OBE Hamlets in 2006. Islington Chinese Association serves the local the Learning team. He became involved in politics Mee Ling is the Vice Chair of CfL. Mee Ling was people well. ICA is one of the most successful after working for some unscrupulous employers in the Founder Chair of CfL, leading us with Dr Stephen Lui Nam Ng, PhD Chinese associations, providing advice, care and a the security and events industry becoming distinction and success until pressure of work Stephen is also founder of CfL and long serving pleasant environment for the local Chinese involved in campaigns for the GMB Union to forced her to relinquish her Chairmanship. Under member of Islington Chinese Association, and has community, enabling them to get together every improve conditions. He has also recently worked her leadership as Chair, CfL has gained given a lot of his time and effort to these day. Katy’s experience of working with the for the Further and Higher Education Minister Bill recognition in the Chinese Community and in the organisations. He is one of the key members of community is of particular value to Chinese for Rammell MP for Harlow, and MP for Labour Party. CfL and is currently its Media Officer. He is a Labour. Other than being a trustee on various Brent South. He is adamant that the labour Mee Ling was a Councillor in the London dedicated Trustee of Islington Chinese Association community and voluntary organisations, Katy was movement needs more involvement from young Borough of Lewisham for 16 years and was and the Great Wall Society Home for Elderly a Non-Executive Director with the Islington people and ethnic minority communities. Come on, join us

Chinese for Labour membership supports and promotes the values and principles of the Chinese for Labour seeks to: Labour Party in order to improve the quality of life of the Chinese community in Britain. • Increase the recruitment of Chinese people to the Labour Party • Increase the involvement and representation of Chinese people The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our within the Labour Party common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of • Increase Chinese support for the Labour Party at elections us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunities are in the hands of the many not the few, where the rights we Membership benefits: enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, • Receive regular information on all issues affecting the Chinese tolerance and respect. community • Financial assistance may be available to potential candidates offering themselves for election to local, regional, national and European elections • Participate in formal or informal events with MPs and Ministers ✂ Membership Application Form New Standing Order Mandate/Authority

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Signed: Date: Please send the completed Application Form to: Date: 2008 Chinese for Labour, PO Box 49080, London N11 9AA. Contact Telephone No: www.chineseforlabour.org.uk [email protected] 4 The Orient • March 2009 Volume 2