Jamaica: Windrush discussions still ongoing

CMC – The Jamaica government says dialogue is continuing regarding the redress mechanisms under the compensation scheme for the members of the so-called Windrush community.

The name ‘Windrush’ was derived from the ship “HMT Empire Windrush,” which brought an estimated 492 Caribbean migrants, many of them veterans of the Second World War to the United Kingdom in 1948. Many took up jobs in areas affected by Britain’s post-war labour shortage.

The Windrush Scheme enables Commonwealth citizens, their children, and some other long term residents of the UK to obtain documentation confirming their status free of charge.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, said the discussions are critical to addressing the issues faced by the group.

“As recently as last week, Windrush featured on the agenda of two high-level meetings with my UK counterparts,” she told the ‘Windrush 75 Reflections from Kingston Harbour’ panel discussion, on Thursday live streamed on several social media platforms.

“While we acknowledged the efforts made by the UK government to address the wrongs, I reiterated the need for continued attention to address ongoing concern stated by the community and urged timely completion of the implemented redress mechanisms under the compensation scheme,” she told the panel discussion, which is one of several Windrush 75 commemorative activities being held from May 23 to June 22, this year.

In 2019, the British government established a scheme to compensate members of the Windrush Generation who were unable to prove their right to live in the UK.

The compensation scheme is open to anyone from any nationality who has the right to live or work in the UK without any restrictions or is now a British citizen and arrived in the UK before December 31, 1988.

It is also open to anyone from a Commonwealth country who arrived and settled in the UK before 1973. Certain children and grandchildren of those arriving before 1973 and some close family members may also be eligible to apply.

Johnson Smith told the discussion that the journey made by 600 people, including Jamaicans and others from the Caribbean “remains synonymous with sacrifice, nation building and community.

“With hopes of personal, family and community development etched deeply in their hearts, Windrush generation left behind all their human love in Jamaica and the Caribbean. In Britain they were critical to the significant  re-building efforts following the destruction caused by the Second World War, including filling labour shortages and serving in critical jobs such as bus drivers, nurses and factory workers.

“But the Windrush generation just did not answer Britain’s call for help to stabilise and fix its post war economy, it did so much more, in reaching the social, cultural, political and religious life of Britain.”

Johnson Smith said it was the Windrush generation that revitalised many towns in Britain, including the “now vibrant Nottingham Hill.

“It was our culture, our energy and our beings that changed the flavour of Britain.”

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