Who benefits from migrants?

[VectraMan]

Maybe a preferential visa scheme would be a better fit, allowing premium workers to move around the common market whilst allowing the local makeup of countries and the security of each nations borders to be protected?

Seems to work for Switzerland.

This is the Switzerland that's just voted to end 5 years of uncontrolled immigration from the EU?

Would you let in all the Indian computer programmers but keep out the polish fruit pickers? Is that what UK PLC needs?

[sasguru]

Maybe a preferential visa scheme would be a better fit, allowing premium workers to move around the common market whilst allowing the local makeup of countries and the security of each nations borders to be protected?

Seems to work for Switzerland.

Don't let the facts get in the way of your ignorance.
Switzerland has more immigrants as a percentage than the UK.
When I worked there, the office cleaners at the bank were generally Muslim women, and most of the menial jobs were done by non-Swiss nationals.
That was in the 90s. My brother works there now and not much has changed.

[vetran]

This is the Switzerland that's just voted to end 5 years of uncontrolled immigration from the EU?

Would you let in all the Indian computer programmers but keep out the polish fruit pickers? Is that what UK PLC needs?

Its not uncontrolled, even in the EU you have to have a Visa / work permit to work. It may be a formality for most but they can refuse or deport you at will.

I would control all worker entry and develop local talent to fill the holes. Highly skilled Migrants could apply for a work permit and a key point is that they would effectively cost more than a local to reflect their value.

[sasguru]

Would you let in all the Indian computer programmers but keep out the polish fruit pickers? Is that what UK PLC needs?

Yes logically that's what he's suggesting
But don't tie his little bird brain up in knots.

[vetran]

Yes logically that's what he's suggesting
But don't tie his little bird brain up in knots.

Logically its not but don't read the posts why don't you just post rubbish, normal AssGuru service is resumed.

[sasguru]

It's easier to tar everyone with the same brush, I pay a local to clean the house once a week, she also has a full time job and works her socks off.

I have to draw a conclusion based on the fact that not a single local person has applied for an openly advertised (albeit part-time) position.

[VectraMan]

I would control all worker entry and develop local talent to fill the holes. Highly skilled Migrants could apply for a work permit and a key point is that they would effectively cost more than a local to reflect their value.

Fine if there's lots of British jobs that can only be done in Britain. I'm not worried that an Indian Computer Programmer will take my job in the UK; I'm much more worried that an Indian Computer Programmer will take my job in India.

(Actually I'm more worried that my American employer will move all the development back to America, as happened to me in my previous job a year ago).

[sasguru]

In the end looking at this thread, high-end workers (myself, vectraman, MTT) are obviously in favour of open-borders as it provides more opportunities. Low-end/unskilled workers like vetran (sic) obviously want to be protected from foreigners since they don't have the skills to go abroad.
Since according to the bell-curve, low-end workers will always be in the majority, democracy will force the closure of borders*, eventually, and the country will fulfil its destiny of becoming an insignificant backwater on the edge of Europe.
The clever people (not to mention knowledge-based firms) will be long gone by then.

*This was the case in Switzerland where the thickos in rural areas voted for the EU restrictions and the people in the know, in the cities, voted against, knowing that Switzerland would collapse without its immigrants.
Because of the latter fact, watch out for a Swiss fudge - were they to implement the referendum wishes willy nilly, the Swiss economy would suffer terminal decline.

[doodab]

The trouble with closing borders is that if people can't move where the jobs are the jobs will move where the people are, which will create even less opportunity for British people as with border controls in place they will be unable to move where the jobs are. You can only close off the movement of people if you close of the movement of jobs as well, which is next to impossible.

The genie is out of the bottle now, it ain't going back in.

[The Spartan]

Ahhh but in Switzerland, if you're a foreign worker you have to have both private health insurance and a pension at the time I found it annoying but when I look back I see the wisdom in it.

You get the benefit of the labour without too much of the hassle, winner winner chicken dinner