Who are migrant workers?
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and member of their families which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1990 defines a migrant worker as:
‘The term migrant worker refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which he or she is not a national.’
- Wales has benefited from the talents and skills that migration brings
- Migrant workers contribute more in taxes than they receive in services
- Wales accounts for a little less than 3 per cent of all applications from A8 nationals in the UK
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In Wales and the UK the term migrant worker is increasingly used to refer specifically to Eastern European citizens. This is because in 2004 Poland along with 9 other European countries joined the European Union and since this date there has been an increase in the number of people from these countries particularly Poland and Slovakia who are coming to Wales to live and work.
It is important to note however that the term migrant worker refers to a diverse population, who are from a variety of different backgrounds and nationalities and according to UK immigration law are afforded different entitlements and rights.
- The largest cohort of people born outside the UK living in Wales is those born in the Irish Republic
The Government of Wales Act 2006 does not allow for measure making power that refers to immigration. However, immigration cuts across every area of service delivery particularly education and housing and these are some of the areas that are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government and have a particular resonance with immigration policies.
UK Government’s immigration policies and the new points based system
The enlargement of the European Union in 2004 granted particular mobility and freedom rights to eight of the new Accession countries namely; Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania also joined the EU in January 2007 but are subject to restrictions and to date the numbers of nationals of these countries applying to work in Wales are very low.
The UK alongside Sweden and Ireland chose not to impose working restrictions on Accession 8 nationals.
Migrant workers from the A8 countries are entitled to some basic benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Tax Credits, whilst they are working provided they are registered.
- Only after a migrant worker from the A8 countries have been working legally for at least a 12 month period, without a break of more than 30 days, can they claim social security benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance
The number of economic migrants from the A8 countries in Wales is unclear and the picture is constantly changing. The numbers of migrant workers in many areas of Wales has been significantly underestimated.
- There were 16,200 registrations from A8 nationals to the Workers Rregistration Scheme (WRS) between May 2004 and March 2007 and 17,300 NINo applications over the same period
Issues that migrant workers encounter in Wales
The experiences that migrant workers have of public services and of the communities in which they live are diverse and no comprehensive survey or analysis in Wales has yet been undertaken.
Rapid and unexpected change in local demography’s can be unsettling and bring about local tensions challenges and concerns about competition. Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to race hate crime and although notoriously underreported race hate crime against people from Poland and other eastern European countries is being documented in some areas of Wales.
Drawing from limited anecdotal evidence available from Race Equality Councils in Wales, migrant workers refer to problems in relation to;
- unscrupulous employers,
- lack of English and Welsh language skills
- in some cases ill adjusted services.
These issues can cause isolation and have a direct impact upon a migrant workers ability to fulfil their potential and integrate into Wales’ communities.
The Local Government Association has produced a good practice guide for local authorities and others to respond positively and proactively to migration. See related publications below.
The local authority perspective on migration in Wales
Many local authorities cite immigration from A8 nationals to the area as key drivers in keeping local business in the community, filling skill shortages, and increasing the output of local economies.
Local authorities encounter problems in delivering and planning services for migrant workers because of the dearth of information on the number make up and trends of migrant workers in their areas.
The WLGA believe that the development of policy and services in relation to migrant workers should take a rights based approach; this approach recognises the rights that migrant workers have and the responsibilities of both the migrant worker and the host community to ensure fair and equitable access to public services. A sensible informed debate beginning from a rights based premise will help to balance the negative context in which much of the discussion concerning migrant workers is taking place at the moment. See related publications below to read more about a rights based policy approach to immigration. There is a need to ensure that additional funding is given to areas in Wales that experience rapid population change in the current year that it occurs.
For more information contact: Barry Williams