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Bosses pick 'diligent' Poles ahead of British workers
Last updated at 01:37am on 11.12.07
The study found Poles are the most desired migrant workers
A study for a Government quango found the newcomers were perceived as more dedicated and diligent.
Polish workers, in particular, are valued so highly that those from countries such as Romania or the Czech Republic are now posing as Poles to win jobs.
The Learning and Skills Council's survey of employers and migrants found employers rank British jobseekers "some way below East European migrants", but above "less desirable" migrant worker groups such as gipsies and Somalis.
The council is a multi-million pound quango charged with improving skills in England.
This research, by the Institute for Employment Research at Warwick University, focused on the economic impact of migrant workers in the West Midlands.
Last year, Britain's population rose by 189,000, with 574,000 migrants arriving and 385,000 residents leaving.
More than 430,000 Poles have registered with the Home Office to work here since the expansion of the EU in 2004.
That figure does not include partners, the self-employed or children and some experts believe the true figure could be closer to one million.
One of the firms to have seen an explosion in the number of Polish recruits is JCB in Staffordshire.
A worker at the company, who did not wish to be named, said: "To be fair, they (the Poles) are good workers and they do put in the effort and the hours.
"But you can't help feeling that these jobs could be going to local men who are crying out for work."
A spokesman for the company said employees were appointed on the basis of skills and ability.
An LSC spokesman said the study did not set out to make a comparison between the British workforce and migrant workers and had not concluded that migrant labour is preferred.
Reader views (2)
Why does that not surprise me. The Poles I`ve come across in the Bulding Trade have a far superior work ethic then lazy locals who think they have a god given right to the job, and when given an opportunity are awful
- Peter Smith, London
Sainsbury's said the same thing a couple of months ago and I have not shopped there since, and if I find the names of any other companies with the same attitude I shall not use them. Isn't it funny with these companies we are not good enough to work for them but we seem OK to spend our money with them, they don't complain that it is no good.
- David Kitemaker-Hall, London, UK
