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Sammy Wilson: Give UK citizens jobs before migrants
Monday, 26 January 2009
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Migrant workers should come second to local people in the battle for jobs in a shrinking market, a Stormont minister has said.
Citizens of the UK should enjoy its privileges before those from other countries, the DUP’s Sammy Wilson added.
He said workers from areas like eastern Europe or Portugal had demonstrated their flexibility by coming here and with fewer family ties had more opportunity to move again as the recession bites across Northern Ireland.
“In any country citizenship confers certain privileges on people. It has obligations to its own citizens before those of other countries, otherwise what is the value of citizenship?” the East Antrim Assembly member asked.
“The European Union is a combination of nation-states and the people of those states are citizens of their own countries. I would make a distinction between someone from Europe and the UK.”
Workers from Poland, Lithuania and Portugal have been among those moving to Northern Ireland during the boom. Many worked in the service industry, agriculture or manufacturing, sending money home to their families. But the weakening pound and competition for jobs from the newly unemployed has made that less attractive.At one stage there were estimates of 60,000 people from ethnic minorities here, according to the Concordia Partnership.
Meanwhile unemployment has risen at a rate not seen since 1971.
Mr Wilson said those with skills in short supply should stay.
But he added: “Do you really want to put someone from here on the dole and have to pay for their upkeep, family and lifestyle when someone who has chosen themselves to be mobile could be the one in employment?”
Alliance Party leader David Ford said Mr Wilson needed to be careful about what he said and that there should be no return to the discrimination of the past.
“It does not matter whether people come from Carrickfergus, Craigavon or Krakow (Poland), the best person for a job should always get the job,” he said.
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so mr wilson,my wife is a born indonesian,she has lived here for many years,paying her taxes and her ni Contributions,a good member of her church and community,she also works with displaced people who are sent over here from the mainland by hm goverment,as it is good for their figures,we are left with these people claiming all sorts of benifits in which our tax money is paid to these people,they get jobs again taken away from local people,tell the mainland goverment to stop sending these people to us and you will find that the amount of local jobs will increase.
my wife is local now our children are born here,my wife has a uk passport,,,so tell me sammy what is local in a multi cultral northern ireland?
Posted by gerald | 05.02.09, 18:37 GMT
What about EU citizenship Mr Wilson? Also any foreign nation living and working in UK for at least three years is entitled to obtain british citizenship. Besides there is more unqualified local people in NI leaving off the benefit allowance simply because they do not want to work then skilled working in NI foreigners. What about those working foreigners paying for upkeep of local people who are rejecting job offers given them by Jobcentre???
Im polish living in NI six years. I have university Master degree and management position at work,I speak fluently three european languages, I do not agree to work for less then locals, I pay my taxes, NIN, morgage repayments, I never sent any money back home and I think its very upsetting that UK being part of EU openly discriminate other EU nations.
Posted by Lena | 31.01.09, 13:20 GMT
Sammy is 100% right. watch people move away when the jobs start drying up. I am tired of all these people crying that they have "special rights" and work 24/7. N.Ireland's economy is titchy. A bunch of folk have turned up and a bunch of folk will leave because it is geographically isolated and has a weak (ish) island structure economy.
Posted by Greg | 31.01.09, 10:17 GMT
OMG what are you talking about, Sammy is not correct. Example too many UK company have bussines in eastern Europen country, nobady from there never has complains for nationality this companies, it is rasims, xenofobie, discrimination, i am from eastern Europe, i am very sad, because i paid tax here, spend money in the shop here like toussand other people, i want ask, why i must be different?
Posted by roman | 28.01.09, 10:34 GMT
So the DUP have attacked individuals sexuality; race and environmental concerns? anything else?
So when exactly are the great Northern Irish public going to vote them out?
Posted by M Spence | 27.01.09, 10:42 GMT
In that case... tell the Home Office to stop issuing visas then...there should a complete shut down. I will then be satisfied that I am not wanted here. How can they issue visas to all international students to work for two years, then say jobs should go to British workers first? Sort out your stupid immigration policy first, then talk to me. FYI I was born here but went back to my parents home country soon after I was born(Thank God). And in the "recession", Mike has rightly said that the "locals" turn up their noses at jobs,and the "immigrants" do them instead!" And shammy, the shoe is on the other foot because British expatriates are given jobs when a "local" could do it just as well in my country... and as we are also affected by the "recession" what do you propose? Driving them all out? Can you see the foolishness in your argument?
Posted by Dora | 27.01.09, 10:07 GMT
Little Ulster Nationalism all over again.
What next Ulster jobs for Ulster people? Is Sammy aware of the EU? Do our people working elsewhere in the EU resign and come home? Does this not work both ways?
Why are the jobs available to migrants Sammy? Do indigenous unemployed people not apply? Is there a skills deficit? If so, what do we do until it is addressed?
This is a pathetic view expressed to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Iris on same sex relationships and now Sammy on foreigners. How about this for a suggestion Sammy, you have five jobs, how about giving a few of them up for the unemployed?
Posted by Rodney McCune | 26.01.09, 18:10 GMT
I agree with Sammy Wilson, in time of recession look after your own first!! A few people here have mentioned that they could not get jobs because they do not have a British passport but I would say that this works both ways!!!! I no several people who have applied for Police and Fire Service but could not get a job due to the 50/50 law and the position would have to go to a Catholic even though they were not applying!! This comment is not about the religion war here it's about immigration and recession!! Try to stick to the thread!
Posted by Stephanie | 26.01.09, 16:24 GMT
“In any country citizenship confers certain privileges on people. It has obligations to its own citizens before those of other countries, otherwise what is the value of citizenship?” the East Antrim Assembly member asked.
- Didn't know we already had a United Ireland, Surely Sammy should know that he is not a Citizen, in fact he is a Subject of Her Majesty the Queen.
Posted by Paul | 26.01.09, 16:06 GMT
Dora dont be so ridiculous! Are you aware of the number of immigrants working all over the UK? You're obviously not right for the job! I'm assuming you're not from here - how would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot in your country!
Posted by Shammy | 26.01.09, 13:18 GMT
I hardly think the catering service, hotels etc thrive, only because of the migrant workers!! Any jobs they leave can be filled by people here seeking work! What nonsense all this getting annoyed at Sammy is! If it was someone in your family constantly getting overlooked for a job would you not think it was a tad unfair? I have no argument with migrant workers at all, but Sammy is only sticking up for the people of this country - which you should be glad about since they can obviously do no right on any topic!
Posted by rock | 26.01.09, 11:25 GMT
No, Sammy Wilson is indeed spitting bile... how dare he propose such stupidity? Why issue work permits if there is no guarantee of a job because of "affirmative action" for British workers? If the job can be best done by the immigrant, then give it to the immigrant. I have suffered enough discrimination anyway beacuse my passport isn't "British" and many times I knew I should have gotten a job, but instead the job was given to someone British anyway. So I guess Sammy Wilson did not need to issue a statement about "jobs for locals" because it's been happening for years. I really feel sorry for the UK and the way these politicians are going...doom is on the horizon.
Posted by Dora | 26.01.09, 10:49 GMT
Not surprising a statement like this spurring from the DUP. You would think someone like him at his high level would be full well-aware that migrants can actually benefit a local economy in such a time. You better hope they all don't get up and leave, then the local economy will be in serious trouble, especially catering, hotel services etc. Typical small-minded nonsense from the DUP. Well the people voted them in, what fools!
Posted by BT | 26.01.09, 10:21 GMT
i agree with mr wilson, giving local people jobs means that they will spend the money in our local economy rather than send it abroad. its nothing to do with discrimination or racism, its a practical suggestion.
Posted by shashana | 26.01.09, 10:20 GMT
Get off your high horse Steven! Of course Sammy Wilson is right! It's not racism in the slightest! Migrant workers come here to better themselves and send money home to families and that's fine, but of course this country has a duty to those who are from here first and foremost! Anyone who thinks Sammy is being racist or xenophobic is just being sanctimonious and stupid! As for David Ford - stating the obvious!! and as if any politician here doesnt agree with Sammy, I'd bet my last pund they do, they just havnt the guts to say it!
Posted by Willow | 26.01.09, 10:17 GMT
What enlightened thinking from our Environment minister. I'm sure the Equality Commission will have a view. He (Sammy) need not worry however as many of our migrant workforce are now returning home given that our economy is well and truly down the pan. When our migrant workforce move away there will be plenty of menial service industry jobs for locals to undertake - should they wish to. Or maybe the benefits afforded to our economically inactive citizens will be be too good to give up? Time will tell.
Posted by paul65 | 26.01.09, 09:56 GMT
Fair Play to Sammy Wilson, he is saying what everyone else is thinking.
Posted by Deirdre | 26.01.09, 09:40 GMT
Sammy rally has lost the plot this time. Foreign workers have done the jobs that locals have turned their noses up at for the last years. They are generally dedicated and much more respectful, efficient, educated and productive than their local counterparts. Why should we penalise these good workers now locals are suddenly starting to find it tough. To be honest, I still doubt that many locals would even consider doing some of these jobs even now and would prefer life on the dole. As a former employer of staff I know from first hand experience.
Posted by Mike | 26.01.09, 08:54 GMT
This is blatant xenophobia and should be condemned by all. Its a shame that as a result of the peace process, we end up with a pack of xenophibic, homophobic dinosaurs running the show! There are thousands of lay abouts who would rather claim benefits illegally than work like the rest of us and the hardworking eastern European migrants. Maybe the DUP ministers would be serving the community better by weeding out and prosecuting these wasters. There are also far too many MLA's getting paid for doing sod all but spouting bile from their swanky offices in Stormont. The DUP know this will appeal to their lowest common denominator voter. Is Wilson saying that I need to get a British passport to get a job now? Should I change my religion too Sammy? If this isn't seen for what it is, we'll soon be back to jobs for the boys.
Posted by Steven | 26.01.09, 08:46 GMT
I agree with Sammy Wilson, citizens first immigrants second, and it has nothing to do with racism. You can more or less guarantee if the shoe was on the other foot that is what would happen to us in another country.
Posted by johnh | 26.01.09, 08:22 GMT