FIONA SPEAKS OUT OVER EUROPEAN MIGRANT WORKERS
August 25, 2006 12:00 AM
Fiona said
"I am appalled at the hostile reaction there has been in some quarters.
"It is crazy to treat workers from other European countries as if they were a drain on our resources when in reality they are a key part of building a strong economy and securing growth and jobs for everyone.
"It is widely acknowledged that migrant workers from the new EU member states help the North East economy to function with greater efficiency."
The Liberal Democrat pointed to evidence from the Institute of Public Policy Research that Eastern European arrivals tend to be young, single people wanting to work temporarily in the UK, often in sectors which have trouble attracting local people.
"These young people are basically wanting to see a bit of the world for a few months and earn some money, just like many British young people.
"A lot of our kids enjoy the freedom of movement within the EU to work temporarily in countries like Spain and Greece. We should treat other Europeans as we would wish our sons and daughters to be treated if they were working abroad."
Fiona argues that the Government needs to be more honest and explicit about the economic advantages of free labour movement.
"Freedom of movement of labour within the European single market is an important part of making Europe a globally competitive economy."
The real danger when new countries join the EU is that the Government will act hysterically and make policy on Bulgaria and Romania without thinking through what its overall strategy on jobs and growth should be.
"If the Government is truly committed to a competitive European economy then it will push other member states to drop restrictions."
Liberal Democrats are set to discuss immigration issues at their party conference in Brighton next month.
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