EYP Talk - Your voice on Europe's future. This is the online forum of the European Youth Parliament in the UK.

Free movement of workers

Does the free movement of workers across borders assure peace and prosperity?

The panellist in this discussion is:

Roland Rudd
Chairman, Business for New Europe

Roland Rudd is the Chairman of Business for New Europe, which launched in March 2006 to support the UK’s active engagement in Europe. BNE is an independent coalition of business leaders articulating a positive case for European reform. He is also the Senior Partner of Finsbury Ltd.

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my belief

Posted by Pascaley on 20/02/2007 - 17:33

I believe that yes the media do hype up immigration. However, i do feel Britain need to become a lot more strict on the amount of people they let in. Clearly countries such as France have problems with the Algerians, and i believe that in a few years Britain will have the same problems.

'Brain Drain'

Posted by Sophie Stewart on 11/02/2007 - 19:14

Michael Leyland's point is certainly an interesting one. How can we expect newer entrants to the EU to meet the expectations set by key older member states, when a significant proportion of their skilled workers are being enticed by higher wages to work abroad, meaning their home country loses out in the long run, with fewer and fewer future professionals to benefit their economy and strengthen the nation as a whole?

The other side

Posted by Michael Leyland on 08/02/2007 - 19:07

There does seem to be much debate to be had regarding the impact of ‘foreign workers’ on the British economy, however I would like to widen this debate in order to consider the impact this movement of workers can have on the country of origin.

As Chris pointed out in his post, there is another side to this movement of workers and that is the side of the countries who are losing large numbers of their working population, with many workers being tempted by the prospect of a higher wage in a more economically developed country. Most notably in Germany immigrant workers have been used to fill the void left by an ageing population, however this only leads to even greater gaps appearing in the labour market of the countries in which these workers are coming from.

Good afternoon everyone,

Posted by Jill on 05/02/2007 - 17:15

Good afternoon everyone,

Even though not from the UK, i thought i would contribute something to this forum. It was interesting to read comment from Mr Royal, as I think it is a sentiment shared by many; BUT i think this argument is where way too much attention is given to this small negative effect. So i would like to point out a couple of points:

I dont agree that "foreign workers" are stealing jobs here as very often those people that Rich refers to are doing jobs that people here are actually unwilling to do. Their pay is still small (but relatively high compared to what would they earn back home) and the loss for the economy by them is not that large as often put here. Furthermore, i think these problems are only short term - as the economies of newer members develop, such treds will become less and less frequent.

biased views on immigration

Posted by alice28 on 03/02/2007 - 22:22

This is a reply for wildvt - It is very easy to blame.

There are many mis-understandings on the real effects of immigration in the UK. A common criticism on immigrants is the idea that they parasite on the labour force in the country they go to by claiming
benefits, namely unemployment benefit.
Those who hold such a view is almost certain to be unaware of how welfare system works in the UK. To claim for unemployment benefit, you need to have contributed 6 month worth of national insurance in the past two years. Once you are receiving unemployment benefit, you need to have evidence that you are constantly actively seeking work, if not , your benefit payment will be stopped.

what about the argument of

Posted by RichardRoyal on 03/02/2007 - 19:02

what about the argument of those who would suggest that the free movement of workers means that working class british folk are losing their job to immigrant workers who are earning money in the UK and then sending their wages back to their families in other EU countries, depriving the British Economy... I know plenty of people worried about this!!!

Migration

Posted by chris.mackin on 02/02/2007 - 18:18

When considering the question of whether movement of workers assures peace and prosperity, I had to think for a minute whether these two things went hand in hand. I have come to the conclusion that they dont. Taking prosperity first of all, there is no doubt of the benefits migrant workers bring to an economy. However, the loss of working age population from their native country can be damaging both to demographic status and to the economy. However this can be countered by 'social dumping' with foreign investement and company plants being set up so as to reduce their costs, thus improving the economy of the country invested in.

It is very easy to blame

Posted by wildvt on 01/02/2007 - 20:40

It is very easy to blame foreigners for the lack of jobs and the (supposed) rising crime rate is another factor that is synonymous with immigrants. If an immigrant does not get a job he is lazy and just a parasite on the wealthfare state....so what should be done?? On cannot work because you are taking a local's job, yet if you don't the local is working to support you. Do neither and you are naturally involved in criminal activities.

Immigration is one of the best things that can happen to a counrty; ON CONDITION THAT
(i) The country accepts its new CITIZENS
(ii)Immigrants actively participate in trying to uphold the law, culture, responsibilities and people of their host country by positivly becoming part of it.
In this way it will no longer be an "us and them" situation.

The free movement of workers

Posted by Michael Leyland on 31/01/2007 - 19:52

Hello everybody! I would first of all like to thank Roland Rudd for his opening comments as well as those subsequently made by Levitca and Teddy. My name is Mike and I will be the moderator for this particular topic.

I certainly agree that the current trend for national newspapers to take the stance that ‘they come over here, they take our jobs and steal our women’ tends to ignore the positive impact which this free movement of labour has had on many European countries. However, I would like to question whether this free movement of workers does in fact ‘assure peace’ when negative comments by the media appear, if anything, to create more conflict.

Movement of Workers

Posted by Teddy_D on 31/01/2007 - 14:26

I also agree with the comments made so far, however one should also consider the side-effects of immigration. First of all, the extent to which the economy benefits depends on what kind of labour force is coming from abroad and whether any empty job vacancies are filled. Then, the necessary spending on provision of more health services, maybe schooling, benefits etc should also be considered. I am completely for immigration and believe it would bring only benefits as long as the economy is flexible enough to cope with the costs that arise.