UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]

In the 1960s and 1970s there was huge amounts of immigration to Australia and New Zealand by Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh nationals, and it impacted on the salaries of Australians and New Zealanders. Those same countries also received large amounts of displaced persons after WWII (which is how most of my family ended up leaving Europe), and during the 70s and 80s, Polynesian Islanders also began chasing the opportunities in New Zealand, and to some extents, Australia. New Zealand is now host to the largest Polynesian city in the world (250,000 plus and counting), and there are now four times as many Niueans in New Zealand than there are in Niue. Both Australia and New Zealand have embraced the opportunities that migrant labour can bring, strengthening their work force, and now have some of the lowest unemployment rates in developed world maintaining strong economic growth. However they do place restrictions on benefits and social housing, in that migrants cannot claim for benefits and housing until they have been there for between two to five years; possibly that might be something Britain could look at?

A study published last week stated that 69% of British people believe that Polish employees work harder than British employees. On the flipside, they came last in a list of nationalities British people would like to spend a weekend with.

For many years, the world has been talking of a ‘global economy’, and now the global economy is coming to the UK, in the form of the EU worker.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


Yes, and they need to have motivation to change it. I'm not up to date on the number of people receiving the minimum wage in the UK who are eligible to vote, but I would still hazard a guess that there are enough to make a difference. If they were vocal about increases, perhaps then the government would listen. From my experiences in the UK, it seems that the major political parties listen a lot to corporate business, but not to the 'Joe Average' worker. The minimum wage in my native country has doubled in ten years; in the same period for the UK it began at £3.60 (April 1997) and is currently £5.52. If it could rise to £7.20, it would be a great help to the low paid worker in the UK.


It is the same in many countries unfortunately, not just the US or the UK. I do support higher taxes for those in higher income brackets; realistically does someone need a 100k bonus on top of a 400k salary? Perhaps if there was some correlation in company tax in relation to staff wages, it would motivate employers to pay more reasonable wages.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]

The hard story would have been giving the full details rather than the bare bones..


Low skilled doesn't mean an idiot, and I apologise if I've given you the impression that I thought that. I don't know how old you are (so please don't get offended), but I understand that a couple of decades ago, it was possible to leave at 15 or 16, and settle in for a job supposedly for life. I understand that the world has changed, and there are some who have experienced bigger changes than others, such as yourself it appears.


Thats a healthy attitude to have; I only wish it was valued more in a financial sense. I really don't understand why the minimum wage is so low, as there are bigger corporates who are making good money who should be spreading a bit more of the wealth around (which is not the fault of the Polish).


I can understand there are some lazy jobsworths who are more interested in massaging the figures, so they put dole bludgers on courses to make them look like active job seekers instead of bums (unfortunately it happens in many countries). Any chance of doing training by correspondence, depending of course on what you would like to do. It does seem as though you're happy to use your brains and you seem smart enough from your posts on here; what about doing a TEFL course, and perhaps teaching English to the Polish in your area (although I'm not sure what the pay rates are for teaching English as a second language in the UK).

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


The data you quote comes from a report by the International Labour Organisation. The data contained within the report is from 2004.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


There is no need on my part to big myself up; to be granted a HSMP, you have to show that you have earning potential and skills desirable in the UK. I proved it, I got the HSMP granted. End of story.


If someone really does want to better themselves, they will achieve it. Without giving you a hard luck story, I’ve dragged myself up by the bootstraps, working 45+ hour weeks and studying part time (which I paid for) while looking after my partner while he was sick, and if I can do it without any handouts, so can you or anyone else who wants a better life. If someone wants to progress in life, they need to invest time and money in themselves rather than making excuses and belittling those who are achieving more than they are, as the moaners and complainers merely look small minded and ignorant.


Not everyone in the UK is a lazy scrounger, and not everyone needs to blame someone else. A lot of the British I meet are hardworking, decent, honourable people. It’s just a few vocal moaners who prefer to absolve themselves of responsibility for their own lives.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


I have to admit I was surprised to learn that the UK only brought in the minimum wage in 1998 whereas it began in New Zealand in 1896 - more than a hundred years earlier. I also believe that the minimum wage is set too low to be realistic for those supporting a family. However that is not the fault of the Polish, but rather the British voter who has allowed the politicians.

As for those who are low skilled, and generally restricted to low paying jobs, what is stopping you from retraining? I doubt that any of you are stupid, so why not motivate yourself to learn new skills, to make you more valuable to an employer?


Sorry to disappoint you Shelley, but I have a five year work permit issued by the Home Office as Im a Highly Skilled Migrant possessing skills identified by the British Government as being highly desirable. The right for an opinion is given by the fact I pay high levels of taxes and NI contributions. I'm also entitled to vote in the UK.


The Annual work hours (source: OECD (2004), OECD in Figures, OECD, Paris. shows that workers in Great Britain work on average 1652 hours per annum; New Zealand 1767 hours and Poland 1984 hours. South Korea have the most recorded working hours, at 2390 hours per annum.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


Britains Immigrants Report by the IPPR

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]



Rank Country of birth Average hourly pay
1 USA £17.10
2 Canada £15.60
3 Australia £15.20
4 South Africa £13.50
5 Uganda £13.40
6 Republic of Ireland £13.10
7 Kenya £12.50
8 France £12.30
9 Italy £11.90
10 Cyprus £11.70
11 Jamaica £11.60
12 India £11.50
13= UK £11.10
13= Zimbabwe £11.10
15 Nigeria £10.80
16 Sri Lanka £10.50
17 Pakistan £10.20
18 China £10.10
19= Ghana £9.40
19= Iran £9.40
21 Bangladesh £9.30
22 Philippines £9.10
23 Turkey £8.90
24 Portugal £8.70
25 Somalia £8.50
26 Poland £8.30

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]



Sorry apologies they were mentioned -
UK- 22% not working; 4% claiming income support; 17% in social housing

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]

There are plenty of foreign investors in Poland; my Polish language class of 10 was made up of one guy learning it for work (unrelated to property), five guys wanting to pick up girls (they find English women unappealing) and four guys who are part of a larger group investing in property.


It is well known that the British favour the Polish plumber or builder because they have an expectation (which in the majority is met) of quality work at a reasonable price - that is a benefit.

A reliable and motivated workforce is available for industries, including those in more rural areas that struggled to retain British workers who preferred to either collect benefits or move to larger centres seeking other opportunities. This ensures they can keep operating their businesses. As well as income tax, there are also company taxes to be paid, and goods can be obtained at a reasonable cost.

Lets face it Shelley, given that English workers have developed a reputation for laziness and skivving, is it any surprise that English employers seek an honest and hardworking staff member? As for working for £5.00, not all immigrants work for that (the average Polish hourly rate is £8.30). I personally wouldn't get out of bed for that, but I also recognise that due to my skills, I can obtain a higher wage. Possibly if you don't wish to work for £5.00 per hour, you could reconsider retraining or expanding your skill set? Age is not a barrier unless you let it be an excuse for laziness.


Actually, I'm not English.

As I've stated many times before, the Polish are being singled out unfairly. How about these for some figures?
Somalia - 81% not working; 39% claiming income support; 80% in social housing
Turkey - 59% not working; 21% claiming income support; 49% in social housing
Bangladesh - 56% not working; 11% claiming income support; 41% in social housing
Pakistan - 55% not working; 11% claiming income support; 15% in social housing
Iran - 48% not working; 10% claiming income support; 33% in social housing
Cyprus - 32% not working; 9% claiming income support; 16% in social housing
Jamaica - 31% not working; 6% claiming income support; 35% in social housing
China - 31% not working; 2% claiming income support; 9% in social housing
Portugal - 30% not working; 7% claiming income support; 40% in social housing
India - 29% not working; 3% claiming income support; 8% in social housing
Zimbabwe - 15% not working; 3% claiming income support; 20% in social housing
France - 15% not working; 1% claiming income support; 5% in social housing
Australia - 11% not working; 1% claiming income support; 5% in social housing
Canada - 15% not working; 2% claiming income support; 8% in social housing
Poland - 15% not working; 1% claiming income support; 8% in social housing
If you returned or simply ceased to support the top five drains on British society, the resulting cashflow could be more fairly distributed, whether that was for education, healthcare, social housing or just help the poor and old. I'm not necessarily saying that would solve everything, but it does show that the biggest drains on British government funds are not the Polish.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


Foreign property investors are pushing up property values in Poland, and making a killing in the process. At the same time, Polish nationals are being priced out of buying a home by purchasers from abroad.

There are some members of the British public who would like to believe that the Britain/Poland relationship is all one way traffic; however there are plenty of British people who are benefitting from the Poles, and there are Poles suffering, just as there are British people who are being disadvantaged. Like most things in life, there are winners and losers, but the biggest losers are those who just sit on their backsides and moan rather than getting up and doing their best to improve their lives (like the majority of the Poles).


Personally I think you need to clean your glasses Shelley..

Love / AVERAGE AGE FOR MEN TO MARRY in POLAND [31]

I’ve never been married, and I have to admit, the thought of getting married scares me. When I do walk up the aisle, I want it to be the first and last time, but I believe that the majority of those getting married have the same intentions, so how can I be sure I get it right? My parents are divorced; my grandparents on both sides are divorced; my step grandparents are divorced; various uncles and aunties are also divorced – even my great uncle is divorced. Perhaps it is unrealistic to believe in forever, but I want to believe it is possible

Love / AVERAGE AGE FOR MEN TO MARRY in POLAND [31]


He he he I might have to show this to my POH - he turned 26 on Thursday, so his time is definitely running out.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


No, but there are a number of British nationals who utilise the purchasing power of the pound to go to places such as Spain or France or even further afield to retire in a better style than they could afford here in the UK. There are a number of British nationals buying up property in Poland currently, and they have also started on Croatia. I admit that the immigration has been mostly one sided, however there are still some canny Brits waiting to make a killing on the speculative property market.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]


They already visit Poland - I believe they're called 'stag weekends'....

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]

How about we reach a compromise - the UK can immediately remove the top 100,000 foreign nationals costing the British citizen the most money? Hell I'm feeling generous - lets make it 500,000 or even a million!

Now before the Pole bashers get excited, not one single Pole will be leaving the UK as they are not a drain on Britain when considered against other ethnic groups.

Now here comes the good news - if we remove one million immigrant drainers, you'll be saving the British government nearly 300,000,000.

Genealogy / The typical Polish look, or all Eastern Europeans [656]

Nikta Im very sure you're not an ugly dork... no matter where you were born. Possibly there is some truth in becoming 'Americanised', but I think you should celebrate your differences as thats part of what makes you special and unique. If anything, I'm jealous of anyone with visible Polish heritage as my Polish friends and my boyfriend are all gorgeous.

As for being able to guess nationalities, come visit London, we'll go to a bar, and pick ten random people and I'll guess their nationalities; for each one I get wrong, I'll buy you a drink, and each one I get right, you can buy me one :) Hopefully you'll leave being proud of any Polishness in your appearance

Genealogy / The typical Polish look, or all Eastern Europeans [656]

I think Polish guys look pretty hot, and the Polish girls in London were giving me a complex - until I went to Poland I thought Polish people were like the Swedes - stereotypically gorgeous... Fortunately while I was there, I saw one or two who were only average, restoring a little more of my confidence.

That said, when walking around London I can pick out the Poles before they say anything, much to my boss' amusement. Then again, I can pick the Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans, and can tell Chinese, Koreans and Japanese apart as well. I think different countries and cultures have different ways of putting together their features...