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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Give locals job priority: Wilson | Give locals job priority: Wilson |
| (about 20 hours 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. | "A lot of people moved in because of opportunities that there were," said Mr Wilson, who is also a DUP MP. |
| Bob Collins, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission, said "you simply can't give preference to somebody on the basis of their national identity." | |
| He added: "You can't restrict applications for positions on the basis of a preferred national identity. The law is crystal clear." | |
| 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. | 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." | "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 | 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?" |