European migrants ‘are better workers’
POLITICS: UK businesses view European migrants as more motivated, flexible and willing to work longer hours than the domestic labour force, according to a report from Government advisers.
Employers say they are of higher quality or prepared to do work that British workers are not, the analysis found.
UK BUSINESSES view European migrants as more motivated, flexible and willing to work longer hours than the domestic labour force, according to a report from Government advisers.
Employers do not think of themselves as hiring staff from the European Economic Area (EEA) because they are prepared to accept lower terms and conditions, but because they are of higher quality or prepared to do work that British workers are not, the analysis found.
Experts said many firms in lower-skilled sectors have built a business model in which the ready availability of migrant labour from the continent played an important and “sometimes vital” role.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) took evidence from more than 400 businesses, industry bodies and Government departments as part of a major inquiry ordered by Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
Officials are attempting to draw up post-Brexit immigration rules that incorporate an end to free movement while avoiding any major damage to the economy.
Publishing an interim update yesterday, MAC chairman Professor Alan Manning said employers in all sectors are “concerned about the prospects of future restrictions on EEA migration”.
The review set out a summary of the views expressed by employers. Many suggested that EEA migrants are “more motivated and flexible than UK-born workers” – including a greater willingness to work longer and unsociable hours, to welcome overtime and show a “consistently strong work ethic”.
In addition, European migrants are often seen as better qualified for the jobs they do. The MAC said it was difficult to objectively assess these claims.
It referred to analysis suggesting that, on average, EEA migrant workers report lower absenteeism rates than UK-born employees.
The committee also found businesses were too reluctant to discuss the role of wages as a possible explanation for why some EEA migrants are employed.
Those from newer EU member states seem to be lower paid than the UK-born population, though that does not imply migration has suppressed the wages of the domestic workforce, the body said.
Some employers do not feel they could improve the supply of UK-born workers by offering higher wages, according to the assessment.
However, the MAC said it “does not think this is credible”.
The report notes: “Individual employers would almost always be able to recruit resident workers if they paid wages sufficiently above the going rate.”
Neil Carberry, managing director for people at business group the CBI, said: “This report rightly highlights employers’ concerns regarding future access to skills and labour from our largest and closest trading partner.”
Lord Green of Deddington, the chairman of Migration Watch UK, commented: “This is a balanced report.
“The committee correctly notes the vital point that immigration does not necessarily increase growth in GDP per head.”