Many migrant workers 'want to learn'
11:12am Tuesday 14th October 2008 in Where I Live
NEW research among Polish people working in Bishop’s Stortford contradicts popular prejudices about migrants coming to Britain, it is claimed.
The interview results were presented by Hertfordshire Euro MP Richard Howitt at a conference of businesses about managing migrant workers.
Interviews with 100 Polish workers show it is wrong to suggest migrants refuse to learn, Mr Howitt said.
He told the conference: “The biggest reason Polish migrants in Bishop’s Stortford give for coming to Britain is to learn English, and contrary to popular opinion Poles interviewed here were more likely to have English friends than similar research in other parts of the country.”
The Labour Euro MP also warned businesses not to see migrants as suitable only for low skilled jobs.
He said: “Don’t underestimate migrants when over half of those we found actually had university degrees. It’s time to get rid of the myths and misconceptions and recognise European migrants give a lot to our prosperity and want to be part of the community The interviews of local Polish workers were undertaken as part of a three-year research project funded by the East of England Development Agency. Of 100 interviews 51 had university degrees.
Asked why they had come to Britain, 39 said it was to learn the English language.
