FOCUS ON IMMIGRATION

The Truth behind the headlines: 

RUTH RICHARDSON examines the rival claims on the impact of immigration on jobs,

On January 10, headlines in the “i” newspaper read “Immigration has no impact on employment”. The following day the Daily Express’s front page declared “Migrants do take British jobs.” Even allowing for the different political perspectives of the respective newspapers, this seems a contradiction too far.

What confused the issue was that there have been two recent reports on immigration that appear to be in conflict on whether there is an association between inward migration and rising unemployment. The report by MAC (the Migration Advisory Committee) seems to suggest such an association. But to quote MAC’s chair, David Metcalf, “there is some displacement but it isn’t huge, and it doesn’t happen in buoyant economic times.” Moreover, evidence of competition for jobs is confined to the skilled sectors, which suggests that immigration is not a factor in the recent rise in youth unemployment.

The other report, by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) concludes that immigration has had little or no impact on employment.

DIFFERENCE IN DATA:

So, why the difference? Mainly, says MRN (Migrant Rights Network), the two reports used different data sets. The MAC report used labour force survey material which extends across all eleven regions of the UK. The NIESR on the other hand used data from National Insurance number registrations, which provides more detailed material on people moving to the UK to work. This methodology enabled researchers to look in detail at smaller areas, giving their study more focus and accuracy.

The MAC report points out that there are many more aspects to immigration than the impact on the jobs market. In devising an immigration policy the Government needs to be clear on whose needs and interests are being prioritised. The well-being of the resident population in terms of public finances, housing and transport should be the focus, says MAC chair, David Metcalfe.

RESEARCH – AND BIAS:

Both the MAC and the NIESR are respectable research bodies which seek to present their findings accurately and without bias. However, in searching the internet for background to this story, I came across the website of Migration Watch. Set up about ten years ago, this organisation sees itself as a watchdog to guard against the UK being “swamped by immigrants”. Visitors to the website are invited to sign an e-petition to keep the UK population below 70 million. I found particularly unpleasant a section called “reports” which contains short news stories concerning anything that shows an immigrant in a poor light. Daily Express readers will find all their prejudices confirmed here!

Immigration Minister, Damien Green, says “this Government is working to reduce net migration… controlled immigration can bring benefits to the UK, but uncontrolled immigration can put pressure on public services, on infrastructures and on community relations.”

SAD:

Personally I find it sad that it is taken for granted that any immigration policy we devise should only be for the benefit of the UK. Surely as one of the richer countries in the world (even in these straitened times) we could see it as our duty as citizens of the world to welcome those who need a haven. Economic migrants are not evil. They simply want a better chance in life for their families. Don’t we all?

I found the stories behind the headlines of the Express and the “i”  quite complicated and the reports needed careful reading. But it was a salutory lesson in how facts can be plucked from their contexts to give credence to a pre-determined view.

HEALING A FRACTURED LIFE: “Refugee Boy”

by Benjamin Zephaniah
Reviewed by RUTH RICHARDSON

(Pub. Bloomsbury £5.99p ISBN 0-7475-5086-7)

Most people, if they have heard of Benjamin Zephaniah, think of him as a poet. And, indeed, he has had many of his collections of poems published since 1980. He has also, however, written five novels and it was one of these, Refugee Boy, that I came across recently.

It is the moving story of a 14-year-old boy of a mixed Ethiopean/Eritrean family, caught up in the war that broke out between those two countries in May 1998. The boy, Alem, is brought to England by his father, who then returns home believing that his action will secure the safety of his son.

PROCEDURES:

We follow Alem through the complicated procedures of social workers, a children’s home, foster parents and, crucially, the application to be allowed to stay in the UK. Alem is a thoughtful and stoical boy, and the story is told simply and directly. But we feel his pain when he is subjected to bullying and racism as he tries to fit in with his new life. Fortunately his foster parents are patient and understanding as they tread the difficult path between guiding him and giving him his own space.

Eventually Alem’s father arrives back in England, with the news that his mother has been killed. Father and son submit a joint application to stay in this country. It is rejected, prompt

ing a swelling of support for them from the local community. Sadly, before their appeal is heard, Alem’s father is shot dead – probably by an Ethiopean or Eritrean group. Subsequently Alem is given leave to remain in the UK and the book ends on a positive note.

“If good can come from bad, I’ll make it,” says Alem.

FROM THE HEART:

It’s a sentiment that no doubt comes from the heart for the author. Benjamin Zephaniah, I discovered, had a difficult childhood. His family was from Jamaica and he was born in Handsworth, where he spent some time in an approved school and was barely literate when he left. Coming to London at the age of 20, he joined a workers’ co-operative in Stratford and embarked on his career as a poet. He is a left wing activist and regards Tony Benn as his mentor. Much of Zephaniah’s work is with disadvantaged youngsters, and to them he can speak with an authoritative voice.

Although Refugee Boy turns out well for our protagonist, Alem, it reminds us of the many whose cases are rejected and who are sent back to face an uncertain future in their country of origin. Although the Ethiopian/Eritrean war officially ended in 2000, there are still tensions, and border disputes rumble on.