29 November 2013

By Sarah Glenister

László Andor, the EU employment commissioner, has warned the UK that new restrictions against migrants could see it portrayed as the "nasty country" of the EU. The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) recently conducted extensive research into labour migration and how the problems surrounding immigration can be resolved in a way that benefits all. But while the IER strongly recommends a "rights-based" model, the government continues to court controversy with plans for restrictions that aim to resolve an issue that does not exist.

Andor's comment was sparked by new proposals to disallow migrants from claiming UK benefits for their first three months in the UK. The Coalition states that this move will reduce what it calls "benefit tourism", an issue the government has been pushing in the media as a threat to the public purse.

However, at every turn the government has come against one particularly troublesome obstacle in its ideological campaign against these so-called spongers – statistical evidence.

University College of London research recently demonstrated, for instance, that migrants entering the UK since 2000 have made a net contribution to the Treasury of £25 billion, are 45% less likely to claim benefits or tax credits, and are 3% less likely to live in social housing.

Previously, the European Commission released statistics showing jobless EU migrants formed just 1.2% of the UK population in 2011 and 2012. The highest estimate for healthcare spending on non-economically active migrants in the UK is 1.1% of total NHS expenditure.

This is not the first time immigration has been used as a scapegoat for unemployment and public spending in the UK, despite evidence pointing to the fact that immigration is more often than not economically beneficial. But the right wing has traditionally had a monopoly on speechmaking when it comes to migrant workers, and myths regarding the impact of migration continue to gain support across the country – even, as our recent Labour Migration in Hard Times conference revealed, within trade unions themselves.

It is time the left began to raise their voices on this issue and raised awareness of the real problems facing migrant workers, which can have a knock-on effect on us all.

One true-to-life problem the right-wing are quick to point out is that migrant workers are often seen by employers as a source of cheap labour. They are pricing British employees out, the right wingers proclaim, but it is important to look at the crux of this matter. Why are migrant workers being paid less when this activity is patently against the law?

Employers, it is clear, are exploiting migrant labour, while aspects of employment law also currently leave them unprotected. It is simply easier to pay a vulnerable worker – which is what migrants largely are – a pitiful amount, and so employers get away with it.

Ask not what migrant workers take away from us (it is clear from countless statistics that they in fact provide for us!), but what the inethical employers who hire underpaid immigrants take from both their workers, and from this country.

The IER's research on labour migration is now available in our new publication Labour migration in hard times: Reforming labour market regulation? Authors of the book include top experts from a wide range of institutions, including academics and campaigners.Click here to buy your copy from just £10, and join the debate.