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Migrant Workers Pull Their Weight, Survey of Employers Shows
The influx of migrant workers into the local job market has proved a boon for the city's economy, according to the new findings of a survey carried out by a leading accountancy firm.
More than three-quarters of Exeter employers - 78 per cent - agree that East European workers are now important for the city's economy. Almost half of the city's owner-managed businesses - 47.5 per cent - say that their East European recruits are now progressing towards promotion, with almost as many - 42 per cent - seeing this as a real possibility.
These are the main findings from a survey carried out by Bishop Fleming, which polled a number of owner-managed businesses in the Exeter area.
More than a quarter of surveyed companies - 29 per cent - revealed that East European employees now represent more than five per cent of their workforce, with 21 per cent confirming that this is an increase on last year.
Almost a third - 31.5 per cent - predict that their employment of East European workers will increase over the coming year.
Brian Payne, chief executive of Bishop Fleming, said: "It is not difficult to see the reasons for these findings.
"A third of our respondents said that their reason for recruiting East European staff was the skills shortage among the local workforce, while more than half cited the reputation of East European workers for being reliable and hard working.
"Despite national news stories suggesting that Polish and other East European workers are now beginning to return home, only 15 per cent of our respondents have noticed an out-flow, while a further 40 per cent agreed that it might be happening.
"Almost half, though, felt that their East European workers show no signs of leaving Devon.
"There has been much debate in the South West about the role of migrant workers, and the problems associated with changing rules for employers.
"This region has a strong reliance on foreign employees for its seasonally focused industries.
"While we still seem unable to persuade our region's young people to take up those employment opportunities, the South West's economy has become dependent upon attracting and retaining migrant workers.
"It is interesting that so many of our respondents are now reporting that their East European recruits are beginning to progress up the ranks of their businesses."
Simon Steer, of Recruitment Solutions in Queen Street, Exeter, said: "For local businesses, migrants are extremely important, especially where local people don't want the job.
"Many local people turn down manual work. Eastern Europeans are extremely hard working.
"There are lots going home now, though. The Polish economy in particular is thriving."
But he warned the struggling UK economy might lead to problems for migrants.
He added: "How safe are they going to be when people are made redundant?"
Source: www.thisisexeter.co.uk by Joanne Cochrane
17/06/2008
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