RMT fights to protect migrant workers facing visa loss

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) is fighting to protect workers who could lose their visas under new migration rules.

RMT fight back

In a press release, the RMT said they were:

Demanding urgent transitional protections for all affected staff and will be joined at Downing Street by MPs supporting the campaign

The Mayor of London has also called on the government to think again.

The RMT said they met Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp earlier in the week:

At that meeting, the union highlighted the unfair impact of the policy on workers who were employed permanently and had a clear and reasonable expectation that they would be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

The Minister accepted that the union had “fair concerns” and agreed to consider the position of permanently employed staff.

General Secretary Eddie Dempsey briefed the media outside Downing Street earlier today:

RMT General Secretary, Eddie Dempsey, explaining to the assembled media outside Downing Street why trusted, hardworking transport workers who were recruited into permanent jobs in good faith are now being told they have to leave the country through no fault of their own. pic.twitter.com/tAB1bCKsPK

— RMT (@RMTunion) November 7, 2025

A group of affected workers joined Dempsey outside No 10:

RMT General Secretary, Eddie Dempsey, alongside @johnmcdonnellMP and @switherdenMP, are joined by a group of members employed at Transport for London, who face being forced to leave the UK as @RMTunion takes its fight to protect transport workers from losing their UK visa status… pic.twitter.com/tssVyBc99E

— RMT (@RMTunion) November 7, 2025

Stop the injustice

The group handed over a letter:

Calling on the Prime Minister to step in, put protections in place, and stop this clear injustice.

Standing at the doorway to No. 10 Downing Street, RMT General Secretary, Eddie Dempsey, hands over a letter for Prime Minister, @Keir_Starmer, as rail workers face being forced to leave the UK due to changes to Skilled Worker visas.@RMTunion is calling on the Prime Minister to… pic.twitter.com/fEqC03BpA7

— RMT (@RMTunion) November 7, 2025

Also present were People’s Assembly, who explained:

In July the government removed these TFL workers’ jobs from the list of ‘skilled’ positions and thus effectively revoked their rights to continue their lives in the UK.

TFL workers and @RMTunion members handing in a letter to Keir Starmer today requesting transitional arrangements to allow retroactive visa sponsorship. #NoDeportations
In July the government removed these TFL workers’ jobs from the list of ‘skilled’ positions and thus… pic.twitter.com/7UAks5cYMD

— People's Assembly (@pplsassembly) November 7, 2025

The Assembly said:

The government announced a transitional arrangement of just 3 weeks, effectively vetoing the chance to find alternative employment.

We support RMT members facing the removal of their migration status and support all workers facing this injustice.

Dempsey said:

These are trusted, hardworking transport workers who were recruited into permanent jobs in good faith. They have been supporting passengers, keeping them safe and assisting in keeping services running. Now they are being told they have to leave the country through no fault of their own.

The union has said the government has the power to ensure the workers are protected and will work with them to make sure that happens.