THE ARGUMENTS OF POLITICIANS IN FAVOUR OF MASS IMMIGRATION
Politicians in different countries give different reasons for welcoming mass immigration.
1. The British political parties say that it benefits native Britons. There is no analysis as to what sort of immigration benefits and what disbenefits, if any.
The Conservative manifesto in 2005 said ‘We all gain from the social diversity, economic vibrancy and cultural richness that immigration brings’ while Labour’s said ‘Immigration has been good for Britain. Our philosophy is simply: if you are ready to work hard and there is work for you to do, you are welcome here.’
They also talk about ‘managing’ migration in relation to ‘skills shortages’ and also refer to the total growth of GDP.
2. The USA has primarily a family reunion policy which accounts for about 70 per cent of migrants, the remainder are refugees, some highly skilled migrants and a ‘diversity’ programme. Their big problems are chain migration and illegal migration.
3. Australia and Canada are basically driven by points systems. Their belief is that they want highly skilled migrants who will enhance their countries’ total GDP but they do not have a stated view of whether this will benefit the GDP or wealth per head of natives.
4. The Prime Minister of Singapore wants migration to bulk up GDP and to avoid a high dependency ratio. He does not refer to increasing the GDP per head of natives.
5. As for the EU, the Commission President Barroso has said, 23/10/07:
"Labour migration into Europe boosts our competitiveness and, therefore, our economic growth. It also helps tackle demographic problems resulting from our ageing population."
"This is particularly the case for highly skilled labour. We are also preparing to give a clear set of rights to all third country nationals who legally reside in the EU. This will protect EU citizens from unfair competition in the labour market and promote the integration of immigrants into our society."
"It is absurd to have 27 immigration policies in Europe."
Franco Frattini, the relevant EU Commissioner, said, 18/9/07:
"Europe needs migration. The need for workers in many EU member states is already evident in sectors such as agriculture, catering, construction and health services."
"We have an ambitious agenda (20/9/07 speech to European Parliament) deepening our policies including new legislative proposals and new concepts that will underpin the implementation of existing policies."
Two new directives on – admission of highly skilled workers and rights of third country workers – are proposed.
The motivations of the EU Commissioners appear to be increasing total GDP but also refer to shortages of labour and to addressing a future demographic problem.
FUTURUS/3 January 2008
1. The British political parties say that it benefits native Britons. There is no analysis as to what sort of immigration benefits and what disbenefits, if any.
The Conservative manifesto in 2005 said ‘We all gain from the social diversity, economic vibrancy and cultural richness that immigration brings’ while Labour’s said ‘Immigration has been good for Britain. Our philosophy is simply: if you are ready to work hard and there is work for you to do, you are welcome here.’
They also talk about ‘managing’ migration in relation to ‘skills shortages’ and also refer to the total growth of GDP.
2. The USA has primarily a family reunion policy which accounts for about 70 per cent of migrants, the remainder are refugees, some highly skilled migrants and a ‘diversity’ programme. Their big problems are chain migration and illegal migration.
3. Australia and Canada are basically driven by points systems. Their belief is that they want highly skilled migrants who will enhance their countries’ total GDP but they do not have a stated view of whether this will benefit the GDP or wealth per head of natives.
4. The Prime Minister of Singapore wants migration to bulk up GDP and to avoid a high dependency ratio. He does not refer to increasing the GDP per head of natives.
5. As for the EU, the Commission President Barroso has said, 23/10/07:
"Labour migration into Europe boosts our competitiveness and, therefore, our economic growth. It also helps tackle demographic problems resulting from our ageing population."
"This is particularly the case for highly skilled labour. We are also preparing to give a clear set of rights to all third country nationals who legally reside in the EU. This will protect EU citizens from unfair competition in the labour market and promote the integration of immigrants into our society."
"It is absurd to have 27 immigration policies in Europe."
Franco Frattini, the relevant EU Commissioner, said, 18/9/07:
"Europe needs migration. The need for workers in many EU member states is already evident in sectors such as agriculture, catering, construction and health services."
"We have an ambitious agenda (20/9/07 speech to European Parliament) deepening our policies including new legislative proposals and new concepts that will underpin the implementation of existing policies."
Two new directives on – admission of highly skilled workers and rights of third country workers – are proposed.
The motivations of the EU Commissioners appear to be increasing total GDP but also refer to shortages of labour and to addressing a future demographic problem.
FUTURUS/3 January 2008