John Reid simply hasn’t done his homework regarding our new migrant 
workers from Bulgaria and Romania, I fail to understand why he is introducing a flawed system that he admits is not workable.
How exactly is an on-the-spot £1,000 fine going to be enforced against an illegal worker? Does he mean literally “on-the-spot”, because nobody carries that amount of cash. And does he really expect them to willingly pay up at a later date?
If they cannot be deported, and our prisons are overflowing, what does he propose to do with those who refuse to pay and end up with a criminal record as a result?
What extra resources will John Reid have to use to enforce his latest plans? Because they have failed to date. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau urged the Government to set up a Fair Employment Commission as it has failed to stamp out illegal gangmasters. Even though gangmasters are required to register, hundreds of them are failing to do so, and there isn’t sufficient staff to enforce it.
Why hasn’t the Government spent more time prosecuting the unscrupulous bosses who have exploited migrant workers, paying them as little as £2 per hour in their catering, domestic and agricultural jobs?
Obviously we do need restrictions on additional migrant workers, having been inundated from the 2004 enlargement of the EU. But I am very concerned about the health risks and would like them to be screened for infectious diseases, such as TB, before they are admitted to the UK, similar to the Australian requirement.
All your points are spot on here Ellee.
John Reid is the worst kind of grandstanding politician. He learnt from his master, who was on about on the spot fines for yobs a year of two ago; where did that ‘floated’ idea end up.
In the bin, as will this for all the reasons you mention.
IMHO, Reid simply is looking to get The Sun et al to back him for the leadership.
Cityunslicker, what also concerns me is that these countries also have highly skilled workers, paricularly Bulgaria where a large proportion is trained in the medical profession, but we are only inviting those who can carry out menial tasks. This is discrimmination and ignorance.
Oh how I’d love to see you ask those questions right to Reid’s face, and to watch him flounder.
You are 100% spot on here pointing out the obvious flaws. Absolutely shocking.
Anyone would think Reid is deliberately sabotaging it…
Martine, I’m just a very practical person, if the Government of the day plans to fine these workers along these lines, it needs to be sure it can carry it out in full, that they are not just empty words. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I believe these workers will totally ignore what John Reid says and carry on working regardless of any threats which they know cannot be implemented.
I, too. totally agree with you, Ellee. Who carries around that kind of cash and how will an illegal worker, being exploited, get hold of £1000 to pay a fine even if they wanted to pay up? It’s obviously an unthought-out popularity ploy on Reid’s part.
Reid hasn’t thought this problem through at all. He makes a tough statement, yet gives to solution as to how it can be accomplished. The prisons are too full to accomodate them, and will not have £1000 on them (until they get it from the benefits office). The government needs to be as tough as Australia is on immigration.
Ellee, I like your points but fear even the screening of infectious diseases is not entirely practical! As tourists are not tested for such infectious diseases, the general public would still be exposed to the risks!
The only reason for testing immigrants for infectious diseases / general level of health would be to ensure they do not require non-emergency NHS treatment and become a burden to the UK taxpayer.
You are all missing the point. Even if we had 500 Conservative MP’s in the House of Commons tomorrow, there is nothing we can do to stop anybody from Bulgaria or Romania from coming here. I don’t believe a Cameronista Conservative Party would ever pull this country out of the evil and corrupt EU
This article is taken from the UKIP website.
Farage slams Reid’s incompetence
24-10-2006
Home Secretary John Reid was today (24.10.06) slammed for “gross incompetence� and “moral and political failure� over migrant workers entering Britain from the expanding European Union.
UK Independence Party Leader Nigel Farage MEP attacked Dr Reid’s claim that: “there will be no automatic right for anyone to come and work here� as “demonstrating complete ignorance of European Law.�
Mr Farage explained that under EU legislation the self-employed and anyone wanting to set up a business can come and work in Britain.
“Dr Reid says he will allow workers in the agricultural and food processing industries, but also acknowledges that he cannot prevent Bulgarians and Romanians from travelling to or living in the UK.
“How will he prevent them changing occupation after they have obtained a National Insurance number? How will he monitor the work status of those who claim to be just living here? It was Dr Reid who claimed that the Home Office was not fit for purpose even before saddling it with these extra duties.”
Mr Farage said that the problems with the Home Secretary’s scheme did not stop there.
“The Home Office proposal to give ID cards to migrant workers would also be illegal under European discrimination laws and any attempt to cap numbers to 20,000 will, at best, only be a temporary measure and expire after 7 years.”
Notes:
Every citizen of an EU member state has a three month ‘Right of Residence’ in any other EU country: Directive 2004/58/EC
Embarkation controls between EU countries is forbidden under European Law.
“James Whale for London Mayor – 2008”
Jeremy, I’m afraid this is when I have to tell you that I am pro-Europe and have no problem with enlargement, except there should have been annual restrictions with numbers from 2004.