UK STILL WONDERS WHETHER TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN FOR BULGARIAN MIGRANT WORKERS

11:21 Mon 28 Aug 2006

An influx of nearly 620 000 migrants to the UK could be expected after Bulgaria and Romania entered the EU, the think tank Open Europe said.

The number of migrant workers that entered the British labour market after the EU accession of new countries in 2004 caused tensions, as more and more locals found themselves unable to get a job.

Official statistics show that nearly 427 000 Eastern European migrants registered for work with British employers, Sunday Times said. If the self-employed migrants were added to the account, the total was near 600 000.

Britain was unprepared for such a number of migrants, as the Cabinet expected net inflow of only 13 000 workers a year by the end of the decade, Sunday Times said.

British employers' organisations still argue whether migrant workers influx helped or hindered the country, Sunday Times said.

Comments

Comments by liz - 12:45 28 Aug 2006
	If the Bulgarians/Roumanians come over blinded by the fact that we pay high wages that in their company, they must remember that the cost of living here is very expensive please bear this in mind. These people would willingly take employment doing jobs and are below some people who are on benefits. Its common knowledge even if you dont work things like jobseekers allowance etc are available - I think common sense could prevail when BG and Romania enter EU. Polish people have proved very hardworking and good people. Foreigners should not be blinded with the UK and its not cheap to live although the amount of money earned is so much. Leave it up to the government. It may be worth trying to get more people from the UK back to work that are on benefits.