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Economic migrants: A case study of short term population flow. Poland to the United Kingdom. Why, since 2004, has there been an increase in the number of Eastern European migrants arriving in the UK for work?. (a). (b). (c). Since 2004 there has been a shortage of workers in the UK.
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Economic migrants: A case study of short term population flow Poland to the United Kingdom
Why, since 2004, has there been an increase in the number of Eastern European migrants arriving in the UK for work? (a) (b) (c) Since 2004 there has been a shortage of workers in the UK. It’s to do with the expansion of the EU They come for the British weather Click on the correct answer
In May 2004, eight Eastern European countries joined the EU. • These countries were: • Poland • The Czech Republic • Estonia • Hungary • Latvia • Lithuania • Slovakia • Slovenia. • Joining the EU made it easier for people from these countries to migrate to other European Union countries (like the UK) for work, as the terms of EU membership mean they don’t require a permit. © istockphoto.com Next question…
Where have the Eastern European migrants settled? (a) (b) (c) markhillary © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com London Throughout the UK In detention camps for immigrants Click on the correct answer
Unlike previous waves of migration to the UK, Eastern European migrants have settled widely around the country, even in areas which previously had not seen large numbers of migrants, for example Scotland and south west England. However, the largest numbers have settled in parts of East Anglia in Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Why do you think this might be? © istockphoto.com Next question…
Why have so many Eastern European economic migrants settled in East Anglia? (a) (b) (c) © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com ~PaulG~ There are lots of jobs available there in agriculture. They like the beaches there. It’s close to the airports where cheap flights land from East Europe. Click on the correct answer
In fact, both answers (a) and (b) are correct to some extent. There are several reasons why East Anglia has seen the largest influx of economic migrants. One reason could be that its dominant industry is agriculture which always needs workers to harvest crops. Another could be its proximity to London. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that migrants have tended to settle near regional airports which is where their no-frills flights have landed from Eastern Europe. Next question…
How many economic migrants have arrived in the UK from Eastern Europe since 2004? (a) (b) (c) © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com Around 10 million. Around 5 million. Around 1 million. Click on the correct answer
It is estimated that approximately 1 million migrants from the eight Eastern European countries who joined the EU in 2004 – plus Romania and Bulgaria who joined in 2007 – have migrated to the UK for economic reasons since 2004. 7 out of 10 of these economic migrants have been Polish. However, of these one million people, approximately half have already returned home. Next question…
What age group are Eastern European economic migrants to the UK most likely to fall into? (a) (b) (c) © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com ©istockphoto.com Under 18s. 16 – 39 years. Over 65s (retirement age). Click on the correct answer
Because this is economic migration, 75% of the Eastern European migrants who arrive in the UK fall into the 16 to 39 year age bracket. People within this age group are of working age so are most likely to be seeking employment. Next question…
What types of jobs are the Eastern European economic migrants to the UK most likely to be doing? (a) (b) (c) © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com © istockphoto.com Factory-based jobs. Builders or labourers. City-based jobs. Click on the correct answer
The vast majority of Eastern European economic migrants to the UK (270,000 of them) find work in factories. Approximately 40,000 work as warehouse operatives, and 32,000 as packers. Surprisingly, relatively few (14,000) work in the construction industry as builders or labourers. The End!
Problems for economic migrants • Less educated migrants often do not speak very good English and can be taken advantage of by not being paid fair wages. • Poland is a much more rural country than England and migrants often find it difficult to adjust to noise and speed of city life. This can lead to stress and many return to Poland because of homesickness. • Houses are generally much larger in Poland as there is not such as strain on space. When migrants move to England, they often live in small flats/houses which they find cramped. • The exchange rate can fluctuate meaning that if the pound loses value to the zloty, as it did in 2008, the money they earn in England is not worth as much in Poland as it was. • The education system in England is different from that in Poland and some children find it difficult to adjust. There are also cultural differences which can lead to ridicule and bullying.
Looking into the future... “About one million migrants from Eastern Europe have arrived in the UK since 2004 but half of them have already returned home, research suggests…Four in 10 of the returned Polish migrants we surveyed think that better employment prospects in Poland will encourage Poles living in the UK to return to Poland for good," the IPPR said…The government had underestimated the number of migrants post-expansion, saying that between 5,000 and 13,000 would arrive after 2004…In fact, by 2006, Home Office minister Tony McNulty admitted that the government was "in the dark" over arrivals - 293,000 immigrants had applied for work permits in the first 18 months… As EU countries change their restrictions on the new members, workers will be more likely to migrate there rather than to the UK, the IPPR suggested…There will also be a smaller pool of possible migrants because of declining birth rates in the mid-1980s…And the pound's devaluation in relation to the Polish currency will narrow the gap between potential earning in Britain and Poland.”
