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Give locals job priority: Wilson | Give locals job priority: Wilson |
(30 minutes later) | |
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has said firms should give jobs to locals ahead of foreign nationals in the current economic downturn. | Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has said firms should give jobs to locals ahead of foreign nationals in the current economic downturn. |
He said it made sense to give preference to people "with roots here". | He said it made sense to give preference to people "with roots here". |
"A lot of people moved in because of opportunities that there were," said Mr Wilson, who is also a DUP MP. | |
Alliance leader David Ford said: "Whether somebody is from Carrick, Craigavon or Krakow, the best person should always get the job." | |
"Mr Wilson needs to careful not to be seen to be encouraging people to return to the sort of times when a preference was given because of somebody's religion or indeed sex." | |
The DUP minister, speaking on The Politics Show, continued: "I think you've got to be very careful when you talk in those terms because people always accuse you of being racist and xenophobic. | |
"However, when it comes to a downturn, I think if jobs are becoming vacant and you've got people with equal skills, and can do the job, etc., then I think preference should be given to people from Northern Ireland." | |
Any discrimination is not good, especially during this time of difficulties and hardship for everybody Eva Grosman | |
Eva Grosman, who publishes a Polish magazine for Northern Ireland, said politicians should be focusing on addressing the economic difficulties instead of trying to discriminate against migrant workers. | Eva Grosman, who publishes a Polish magazine for Northern Ireland, said politicians should be focusing on addressing the economic difficulties instead of trying to discriminate against migrant workers. |
"Any discrimination is not good, especially during this time of difficulties and hardship for everybody," she said. | "Any discrimination is not good, especially during this time of difficulties and hardship for everybody," she said. |
"Would the hardship experienced by a person born in Northern Ireland be any different to those born outside?" | "Would the hardship experienced by a person born in Northern Ireland be any different to those born outside?" |
Last year Mr Wilson angered green campaigners by describing their view on climate change as a "hysterical pseudo-religion". | Last year Mr Wilson angered green campaigners by describing their view on climate change as a "hysterical pseudo-religion". |
He said he believed it occurred naturally and was not man-made. | He said he believed it occurred naturally and was not man-made. |
"Resources should be used to adapt to the consequences of climate change, rather than King Canute-style vainly trying to stop it," said the minister. | "Resources should be used to adapt to the consequences of climate change, rather than King Canute-style vainly trying to stop it," said the minister. |