For Organisations and Employers
Migrant workers have become an increasingly visible social group within local populations in South Lincolnshire over the past few years. However little was known about the exact number of people moving to South Lincolnshire to work, or about areas of work which were attracting migrant workers. Little was known about the demands these changes placed upon statutory bodies and businesses or about specific problems facing migrant workers.
We hope the research carried out in South Holland District Council and Boston Borough Council will help to fill some identified gaps in service provision, as well as to build bridges between different groups in society.
Integration and social inclusion are other major topics. There is a need for dialogue and understanding on all sides: gang masters, labour users, statutory bodies and migrant workers themselves. Integration is a two way process: it requires adaptation on the part of newcomers but also by the host society. Successful integration is building bridges between different cultures and societies.
There are a number of different categories of migrant workers who have varying rights to work in the UK. The main categories are as follows:- Nationals from the EU or EEA who have a right to travel, live and work in the UK
- Accession State nationals, who have the right to travel, live and work in the UK by registering with the Home Office for the first year of employment
- Nationals of all other countries: who require a work permit
- Commonwealth Working Holidaymakers: individuals between the ages of 17-30 who can work in the UK for up to 2 years
- Nationals of Switzerland and British Overseas Territories who require clearance to enter the UK but do not require a work permit
- Students from outside the EEA can work part time
- Overseas students who work under the SAWS scheme for a limited time (mostly in agriculture)
- The Sector Based Scheme (introduced in May 2003)
- The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (industries granted work permits by this scheme were health services, computer services, managerial service, and financial services). The acceptance into this programme is based on the following criteria: work experience, educational qualification, achievements in the workplace, past earning, husband’s/wife’s qualification
- Undocumented workers including people who have entered the UK legally but are working without a legal right to do so
The Labour Force Survey provides a definition of migrant worker as: “a foreign worker is someone who works but has foreign citizenship and a foreign-born worker is anyone born outside of the UK, including British citizens”.
Benefits of migration
Migration brings significant benefits to the economy, society, culture and to migrant workers themselves.
However, migrants who have developed and improved their skills abroad can be participants of the “brain gain” by transferring and infusing knowledge, skills and technology into their countries of origin. In addition, remittances sent home by migrants can be used to sustain development there. In 2003, over $ 100 billion were sent home (world wide) in remittances by migrants, helping to sustain the economies of many developing countries. According to Home Office data, workers from the new EU countries have contributed approximately £240 million to the UK economy between May and December 2004.
About 85 % of the 715 UK employers in the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development Survey said they have experienced recruitment difficulties over the past year (2005, June). Nearly two fifths had resorted to non-UK residents to fill posts. In the public sector, this rose to 44 %. In the private sector, 53 % who turned to migrant labour said they increased the proportion of vacancies they filled with overseas workers during 2004. (Business 2).
If you would like to discuss any problems concerning migrant workers issues or to read more on specific topics please write to the Forum or directly to us. We will do the best we can to respond into your questions.
Answers into questions from the Launch
1. The presentation mentions the involvement of the church. Long Sutton has a think tank looking and exploring all the questions at present. Mr. Ansar Ali has said that churches at the front of the community. What would the report see as a distinctive contribution of the churches in the discussion This is also a question from bishop Tim of Grantham?First of all Church is a good contact point for migrant workers for the gaining information and advice for help. Also it might be good place for the meetings (after the service or near the church) where migrant workers can meet each other and to mix within community members. Some migrant workers need support for their spiritual development/ guidance as well as support if they are in very difficult situation (spiritual, advice).Also it is the best place to appeal to the local people re: community cohesion and diversity (answered by D. Zaronaite)
2. The finding that 56.6% of migrant workers want to stay in the UK is useful. What else can the study tell us, if anything, about the need for additional housing in Lincolnshire and where those homes should be? This information needs to be put into context with housing allocations to southern Lincolnshire in the regional special strategy and in the districts local planning policies. Generally the local authorities consider that there is already an under provision in the housing allocation to meet the demands for affordable housing which housing needs assessments indicate. The information from the survey illustrates and confirms the additional pressures which the need for housing for workers migrating into the area will cause (answered by Terry Huggins).
3. We have heard how good accommodation is important. How will this report be fed into the Planning policy? It is proposed that the report will be used to support negotiations to increase housing allocations.Also issues addressed to the Lincolnshire Local Agreement Area who sets outcomes for the whole Lincolnshire (answered by Terry Huggins & D. Zaronaite).
4. The migrant labour workforce in Lincolnshire is broadly split into 2 groups – daily migrants, mainly older British Asians and the younger (mainly) Eastern Europeans. Your work appears to have daily migration, and if to, have you established any particular need for that group?As 56.6% wants to stay in the UK permanently there is need for all kind of services:- for housing, - access to information, - integration issues- ESOL courses- Childcare services (answered by D. Zaronaite)
5. What steps are the police and Local Authority taking about the Seriousness of driving whilst having no insurance.The police have carried out some high profile stop and check activities. Providing translated information to the sector to improve understanding of UK driving requirements.Improving access to bank accounts links with the ability to pay insurance through monthly instalments (answered by D. Zaronaite).
6. What about racial tension between migrant workers from different countries?More and more we can notice the racial tension between migrant workers and indigenous population as well as between migrant workers themselves. Very sad situation repeats in the schools when bullying repeats between migrant workers children.The tension is raised by:- different pay for the different nationalities for the same job- new arrivals agree to do the same job for the lower salary.- Lack of activities to integrate and meet other people.- Cultural and language issues;Unfortunately during the research we haven’t looked deeply into this issue (answered by D. Zaronaite).
7. Did research indicate the number of unemployed foreign nationals (previously migrant workers). From 700 respondents ~1% was unemployed (reasons: recently arrived, between two jobs, can’t find, and staying at home with children).1.7% are employed less then 20 hours per week (that is not enough to pay for the rent), some migrant workers have couple part time jobs (answered by D. Zaronaite).
8. Serious Health issues?Mainly migrant workers are in good health (70% are aged 18-34 yrs), as they are not entitled to the benefits (job seekers allowance). If they do have some health problems they try to hide it as afraid to loose their employment. Also people with serious health problems usually do not take risk to leave their country of origin (answered by D. Zaronaite).
9. Contact with Police / criminal justice system?We are working together with police in trying to help each other, consult and providing mutual help. Police and Criminal Justice Board provide information and links for our website (answered by D. Zaronaite).
10. How will the website be updated? By whom?The migrant worker project is funded for two years and is over half way through this period. The executive group will be considering issues of sustainability. In the immediate future the project will update the web site. If project wouldn’t be extended the administration rights of website would be given to one of the partner organisations (for example SHDC, BBC or CAB) (answered by Terry Huggins & D. Zaronaite).
11. The recommendations from the report will cost taxpayers. We need to ensure they see the benefits of migration? Where was the long term communities interviewed?Local community benefits:- local businesses would not survive without migrant labour.- cheap production- Paid taxes (contribution to the economy)- They bring their skills (as doctors, dentists) - Doing jobs nobody wants to; - EU money is brought for migrant workers’ integration (where local people might be employed). - Local people renting their houses or rooms for migrant workers.
Long term communities interviewed: Donington, Quadring, Gosberton, Surfleet, Pinchbeck, Spalding, Deeping St. Nicholas, Crowland, Cowbit, Weston, Moulton, Whaplode, Holbeach, Fleet Hargate, Holbeach Drove/Whaplode Drove, Gedney Hill, Sutton st Edmund, Sutton St. James, Gedney /Gedney Dyke, Lutton, Long Sutton, Little Sutton, Suton Bridge, Spalding, Tydd St. Mary and Boston (answered by D. Zaronaite).
