Official website of the BPP

Unemployment fears for NI

Unemployment levels in Northern Ireland could soar if the number of migrant workers is not properly managed, a British Government report warned today.

Native workers could be forced into a life on benefits if wages are depressed by increased competition from abroad.

Up to 66,000 jobs could be filled by guest workers between now and 2030 with thousands lured from eastern and southern Europe by relatively high pay.

The rush has forced officials to reconsider housing and health needs and the government`s Policylink paper said workers in Northern Ireland may be disadvantaged.

It claimed: "A reduction in the wage rate resulting from an increased supply of labour could potentially lead to an increase in the already substantial number of economically inactive individuals in NI as it would reduce the gap between benefits and work."

Areas like Dungannon in County tyrone and Portadown in County Armagh, have seen massive increases in the number of Portuguese and eastern European workers. They contribute to manufacturing, food processing, tourism and nursing as well as farming.

A total of 31,421 foreign nationals applied for long-term settlement between April 2003 and June 2005, approximately 1.8% of the population of Northern Ireland.

European enlargement is a key factor behind the relocation.

Margaret Donaghy from the Race Forum - a body established to guide Government on the issue - said: "If there`s a reduction in wage rates we have a minimum wage and therefore I see the onus as being on the employers.

"Migrants are not entitled to benefits until they have been here a year and the real issue is with employers who go out to eastern European countries and recruit without making adequate provision for their housing and other social needs."

The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) published a dossier earlier this summer, which said the influx of foreign nationals could help re-balance Northern Ireland`s ageing workforce.

The construction industry is particularly vulnerable to a shortage of labour and this has been linked to rising house building costs.

The government is being urged to set up a special task force to deal with issues faced by migrant workers in Northern Ireland and their employers.

The Concordia partnership of voluntary and business groups is urging government to give responsibility for migrant workers to one government minister, set up an emergency rehousing fund and establish advice and support centres for them.

A lottery cash hand out worth £247,240 has been earmarked for a one-stop information pack for migrants.

Harland & Woolf's shipyard - one of Belfast's main employers, virtually dead and gone. The contracts that kept it successful are now going abroad to where labour costs a fraction of what it does in the UK and the remaining jobs in Ulster that our workers could do are being taken by cheap labour imported from the east of Europe. These people are just being exploited by unscrupulous employers who can't see past the pounds and pence. Remember, the only EU countries allowing this flood to take our people's jobs are the United Kingdom and Eire!