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Even children of migrants forget the truth about immigration Even children of migrants forget the truth about immigration
(2 months later)
A few years after the UK had opened up its labour market to eastern European EU members, I had an interesting chat with a British citizen of Nigerian descent. The young man was an entrepreneur whose parents had emigrated to the UK in the 1960s.A few years after the UK had opened up its labour market to eastern European EU members, I had an interesting chat with a British citizen of Nigerian descent. The young man was an entrepreneur whose parents had emigrated to the UK in the 1960s.
When he heard I lived in Poland, he said he employs "a lot of Polish people because they're very cheap workers, the Chinese of Europe". Born to a Polish mother, I found his contemptuous tone annoying and inquired whether he'd forgotten his parents were probably referred to in similarly unflattering terms when they came to the UK.When he heard I lived in Poland, he said he employs "a lot of Polish people because they're very cheap workers, the Chinese of Europe". Born to a Polish mother, I found his contemptuous tone annoying and inquired whether he'd forgotten his parents were probably referred to in similarly unflattering terms when they came to the UK.
"When my parents arrived, they couldn't even find a roof over their heads," he retorted. "Then, you still had British accommodation signs that read 'No coloureds, no dogs.' Polish people don't have to go through all that, so don't expect me to feel sorry for them. Today they're at the bottom of the economic ladder. But in a decade, they will be lording it over the next big immigrant group – that's just the way this country works.""When my parents arrived, they couldn't even find a roof over their heads," he retorted. "Then, you still had British accommodation signs that read 'No coloureds, no dogs.' Polish people don't have to go through all that, so don't expect me to feel sorry for them. Today they're at the bottom of the economic ladder. But in a decade, they will be lording it over the next big immigrant group – that's just the way this country works."
I think back to that conversation every time the immigration debate rears its head. Of course, my friend was right when he said that today's eastern European migrants to the UK don't face the same kind of bare-faced racist abuse their non-white predecessors used to. But immigration sentiments ultimately boil down to socio-economics. When black South African mobs attack Zimbabwean immigrants in their country, they care little for the fact that those Zimbabweans look like them. What matters is that "they are taking over our jobs because they accept low pay". Similar sentiments are now being expressed towards eastern Europeans by some Brits.I think back to that conversation every time the immigration debate rears its head. Of course, my friend was right when he said that today's eastern European migrants to the UK don't face the same kind of bare-faced racist abuse their non-white predecessors used to. But immigration sentiments ultimately boil down to socio-economics. When black South African mobs attack Zimbabwean immigrants in their country, they care little for the fact that those Zimbabweans look like them. What matters is that "they are taking over our jobs because they accept low pay". Similar sentiments are now being expressed towards eastern Europeans by some Brits.
I can see where such anger comes from. I currently work in Poland and if a wave of immigrants from say, neighbouring Ukraine, were to suddenly appear here and offer to do my job for half my salary, hell, I too wouldn't feel particularly well disposed towards them. Assurances that all this is "good for the economy as a whole" are unlikely to mollify me.I can see where such anger comes from. I currently work in Poland and if a wave of immigrants from say, neighbouring Ukraine, were to suddenly appear here and offer to do my job for half my salary, hell, I too wouldn't feel particularly well disposed towards them. Assurances that all this is "good for the economy as a whole" are unlikely to mollify me.
But I might eventually change my mind if I were presented with a compelling argument. As of 2013, the EU's working-age population (15-64) has started falling, and will be smaller by 50 million people in 2060 compared with 2008. Meanwhile, the population aged 65-plus will increase by 67 million. Only today, a report by Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility warned that rising health, pension and social care costs connected to the country's ageing population will increasingly put pressure on the public purse. So either Europeans start having loads of children, which is unlikely, or the continent will have to import migrants to work for its pensioners. I have yet to hear of a logical alternative option.But I might eventually change my mind if I were presented with a compelling argument. As of 2013, the EU's working-age population (15-64) has started falling, and will be smaller by 50 million people in 2060 compared with 2008. Meanwhile, the population aged 65-plus will increase by 67 million. Only today, a report by Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility warned that rising health, pension and social care costs connected to the country's ageing population will increasingly put pressure on the public purse. So either Europeans start having loads of children, which is unlikely, or the continent will have to import migrants to work for its pensioners. I have yet to hear of a logical alternative option.
Europe is particularly bad at attracting highly skilled migrants. As of 2007, when a European Blue Card was proposed to remedy this, the EU's highly qualified workforce consisted of 0.9% non-EU workers, as opposed to 9.9% highly qualified foreign workers in Australia and 3.5% in the US. But how many people have even heard that such a programme exists? Moreover, several EU states have refused to sign up for it. It is in Europe's interest to change this.Europe is particularly bad at attracting highly skilled migrants. As of 2007, when a European Blue Card was proposed to remedy this, the EU's highly qualified workforce consisted of 0.9% non-EU workers, as opposed to 9.9% highly qualified foreign workers in Australia and 3.5% in the US. But how many people have even heard that such a programme exists? Moreover, several EU states have refused to sign up for it. It is in Europe's interest to change this.
Many Europeans still assume that those coming here from Africa or Asia are by definition poor and dream of nothing but getting a piece of all those fat welfare cheques. A couple of months ago, about to visit the UAE, I was surprised to discover that while I needed a visa to enter Dubai with a Polish passport, my Nigerian citizenship guaranteed me visa-free entry. Why? Because every day hundreds of Nigerian tourists and businessfolk visit the city and leave some serious money there. The era of the perpetually poor African is over.Many Europeans still assume that those coming here from Africa or Asia are by definition poor and dream of nothing but getting a piece of all those fat welfare cheques. A couple of months ago, about to visit the UAE, I was surprised to discover that while I needed a visa to enter Dubai with a Polish passport, my Nigerian citizenship guaranteed me visa-free entry. Why? Because every day hundreds of Nigerian tourists and businessfolk visit the city and leave some serious money there. The era of the perpetually poor African is over.
Of course, respect must be mutual. The relationship between migrant and host society must be one of give and take. Otherwise, everyone ends up feeling short-changed. However, it is up to European politicians to stop being blind to reality and have the guts to tell their citizens the truth, namely that simply being born European no longer guarantees you a comfortable life.Of course, respect must be mutual. The relationship between migrant and host society must be one of give and take. Otherwise, everyone ends up feeling short-changed. However, it is up to European politicians to stop being blind to reality and have the guts to tell their citizens the truth, namely that simply being born European no longer guarantees you a comfortable life.
Due to its ageing population, alongside rapid development in the emerging world, Europe needs to do what it can to attract the migrants it badly needs today. Because if it waits till tomorrow, well, it might just turn out nobody is interested.Due to its ageing population, alongside rapid development in the emerging world, Europe needs to do what it can to attract the migrants it badly needs today. Because if it waits till tomorrow, well, it might just turn out nobody is interested.
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