' The overwhelming majority of workers are here to work, not exploit the system '

Eastern European workers 'flooding into Britain' disproved

On 1 May 04, ten new countries became members of the European Union:

Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

On joining, new members are entitled to free movement within the EU, however only Malta and Cyprus were granted full rights, entitling their workers to work in any Member State without restrictions, immediately from the date of accession.

Job applications up

Up to Sep 05, approximately 293,000 applications were made by workers from these eight countries to work in the UK, though some were already thought to have been in the UK.

Over the summer about a further 59,000 applied to work in Britain, though many were only temporary workers who were expected to return home after the summer.

While numbers coming into the UK have been higher than first anticipated, the effect they have had on the UK economy has been positive.

Benefit tourism minimal

Contrary to fears about 'benefit tourists' flooding into the UK, the figures show that only 100 out of 2,501 applications from A8* workers for Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support were considered. This means that the overwhelming majority of workers are here to work, not exploit the system. (*A8: a worker from the eight countries who, with Malta and Cyprus, made up the 2004 ten EU accession countries)

Indeed workers are only permitted to claim benefits after they have worked continuously for a minimum of one year. They have also made a significant contribution to the public sector by taking skilled jobs within it. For example:

• as care workers (7,500 workers)
• teachers and classroom assistants (700 workers)
• bus, lorry and coach drivers (4,000 workers)
• GPs, nurses and specialists (over 500 workers), and as
• dentists and hygienists (400 workers) where they were particularly welcome.

Positive impact to community

The impact of workers coming from the European Accession countries is best summed up by the Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, who said that:

'Accession nationals are continuing to come to the UK to work and are contributing to the success of the UK economy, paying tax and national insurance and filling key jobs in areas where there are gaps, such as in education and health. At the same time they are making few demands on our welfare system or public services, and are likely to come to the UK for limited periods of time in the same way UK citizens take advantage of work, trade and travel in the enlarged EU.'

Roberto Franceschini
Chair
UNISON
South West International Committee