Low Skilled Workers

Low Skilled Workers


Today, February the 19th 2020 a piece of news made the headlines everywhere in the UK. It is the ban on low skilled workers and non English speakers from coming in to the UK. Aside from the possible backlash of left wing discourse or possible injustices with this system, it is worth thinking on its efficacy and criteria.

Let´s start with the latter, Criteria. Whilst browsing through the article The Guardian  there is a list that can be seen with elements of a point based system, of which anyone wanting to come in, has to adhere to and have a minimum of 70 points (Brooks, O'Carrol, Walker 2020).

If the criteria of speaking English seems to be a no brainer, the explanation as to what consists an accepted level of English is left out and will lead to confusion and interpretation, which is never a good thing in a selection process.

Next is the sponsor and job offer. Where would a person go to in order to find these sponsors? Why is this measure put in place without additional information to support it? How efficient is a system like this if is not made accessible to everyone regarding everything, from sponsors to job offers that are within a sponsor´s reach?

More can be said about the criteria but let´s turn to efficacy related to sectors. Currently the Construction, Hospitality and Food and Drinks are connoted with foreign work. One only needs to to a site, restaurant, or try to hire a housekeeper or nanny to find that whether this is a fact. If so, then what will happen to these jobs in the future? Who is coming to fill these possible vacancies? Are we to rely on British born workers to pick up the would be slack?

Seems like this move will need serious and thorough debate at to what it really is about. If Brexit has taught us anything is how messy it is and how filled with misconceptions and flat out lies.

Let's see what happens..



Source: Brooks, O'Carrol, Walker 2020. The Guardian. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/18/uk-to-close-door-to-non-english-speakers-and-unskilled-workers