Immigration: what do the Romanians think?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/26/immigration-what-romanians-think

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Leonard Bacica, 32 Freelance theatrical lighting designer, London

It probably sounds silly, but the reason I came to Britain has a lot to do with the Premier League – I'm a huge follower of Manchester United. I also studied Wittgenstein at university and he stayed in Cambridge for most of his professional life. I think I have a cultural affinity with the UK.

It wasn't at all hard to find work, and within a month I had found a job in a coffee shop in north London. Unfortunately, although they had promised to sort out the paperwork, a year later they had a phonecall from the Home Office and fired a couple of Romanians and Bulgarians.

I wasn't entirely aware of the work restrictions when I came. My idea was that if I hadn't found a job I would work as a freelance, which is what I am doing now. It took me two months to get my first commission, but I've been working fairly continuously since.

I haven't felt any sort of personal discrimination, but I am offended by the way Romanians are portrayed in the British media. Wouldn't you be? We are all offended, and we are trying to prove that we don't only want to come to steal and beg. But unfortunately our reach isn't as big as the Daily Mail.

Initially I thought I would come for four or five years, and I still think that. Just because Britain is not a place I would like to grow older. No offence, but you could do with better weather in this country.

Cristina Coceban, 22 Accountancy student, Northampton

My brother-in-law and sister came five years ago from Romania. He is an HGV driver and has a yellow card, which means he can work self-employed; she works in Tesco. It was always my dream to come to Britain because of the education system, and now I live with them and their little boy while they support me financially.

Of course I understand why some British people feel nervous about Romanians being able to work freely in Britain. My brother-in-law feels the same. From the first day he came to England he started to work and paid taxes; he and my sister have always paid tax and have never claimed benefits. He says, "I don't want those poor people to come from Romania to take benefits." I really want the government to tighten up the law on that.

Some people don't seem to realise that not all Romanians are the same, but there are some people from our country who even we don't like. They ruin our reputation.

Samuil Marusca, 29 Teaching assistant, London

I firstcame to the UK in 2009 to pursue a masters degree in linguistics. Like many other Romanians, I come from a humble background and felt that the UK would offer more opportunities. Secondly, there were some important changes in Romanian education law that worked against me. Surprisingly, I found it was easier for me to enter the academic world here than in Romania.

In my opinion, very little will change after January 2014 when the working restrictions are lifted for us. It will make no difference financially for those who take cash in hand, and it doesn't greatly affect professionals who already have a work permit. Most Romanians come to England only if they have already secured a job through their contacts here. It's extremely rare for a Romanian to come to the UK, stay at home for three to six months, learn the language, establish contacts and start applying for jobs, because it is simply too expensive.

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