Worker fired from disability charity after opposing genocide & proscription of Palestine Action

The national disability charity Sense has fired one of its staff. This is because she took part in a protest against the ongoing genocide and the proscription of Palestine Action. Chloe is a member of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain.

On 19 July, Chloe joined a Defend Our Juries action, where she held a placard that stated: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Police have arrested over 2,000 people for taking part in similar protests across the country. A judicial review on Palestine Action’s proscription took place from 26 to 28 November.

‘Safeguarding the charity’

Chloe was dismissed for “gross misconduct” by her employer, Sense, on 21 November. Senior management at Sense decided to fire Chloe, stating that they needed to safeguard the charity’s reputation. They highlighted the ‘neutrality’ of their brand.

This makes Chloe the first person in the UK to speak publicly after getting the sack for participating in these actions.

Chloe said:

I worked for a Sense service where we would take children with sensory disabilities on days out. It meant a lot to me as I have a sensory disability myself.

I felt alone growing up and I would’ve loved to have been a part of the group as a child. It made up for it that I was able to join the group as an adult and help run it. I miss everyone.

I was fired after holding a sign saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine action”. I’m a Sikh, I’m compelled by my religion to take a stand against injustice.

What is happening to the Palestinians is unjust. It’s the least I can do.

Silencing of workers

Independent Workers Union of Great Britain Charity Workers Branch Member Tara Povey said:

Neutrality is not an option when we are witnessing a genocide backed and enabled by the UK government.

It’s especially galling that a disability rights charity should sack a worker after protesting what has been called “a mass disabling event”. This dismissal shows that our rights as workers are inextricably linked to Palestinian workers and Palestinian liberation.

Over the past two years charity bosses have ramped up their policing and silencing of workers – with racialised workers and migrant workers paying the highest cost. As a sector we need to show them that we won’t stand for this.

As a branch we are committed to Palestinian solidarity and we will back any of our members who get targeted after taking action for an end to UK complicity. Chloe should be immediately reinstated with an official apology.

Featured image via the Canary