Immigration of Low-Skilled Workers

[mertymcfly]

Do we want low skilled workers coming in? on one hand they reduce wages, we are not short of low skilled employment. on the other hand there is an argument about illegal workers suffering themselves. This damages the economy. At the moment government have set up Tier 3, which would let in low skilled workers and then suspended it and replaced it with the sponsorship system.

Is that a good system?
Should they have kept it open?
or can they trust the system to exclude illegal workers. which means we could manage without them,

should Universities report foreign students to the BIA for failing to turn up for classes? (just for fun)

My final question would then be, do you thaink the system for selecting people for citizenship will benefit the UK and how?

[earearear]

I'm not a legal expert on immigration, but I do know something about economics, and the answer is "yes", we want free trade.

The "reducing of wages" translates into lower prices on consumer goods and services which increases the purchasing power of consumers. Also, the immigrants getting those jobs are better off than they would be otherwise (or else they wouldn't be seeking them in the first place), so restricing them from getting them would be to hurt one group of people (the immigrants) and another group (consumers) for the benefit of a third (domestic low skilled workers). Society as a whole would also have fewer goods and services it desires.

As someone with training in economics, the right way to tackle poverty is by making ourselves more productive, not to try to shut some groups out of the market for the benefit of others.

[blueeagle]

HELL NO! Unskilled immigrant workers take away jobs from the poorest Americas. Our country suffers from a 30% REAL unemployment rate as it is. Why do you advocate creating more competition for your fellow citizens?

And don't give me this CRAP about them working jobs the average American wont take! That is a blatant lie strait from the pits of hell! I know several people who would trade their right arm for a job picking fruit!

[jk]

one of my favorite statements by those advocating allowing the illegals to stay:

they don't take jobs from Americans. They take jobs the Americans are unwilling to do.


what a load of hooey. The only job some American will not accept is one that the employer is unwilling to pay a reasonable wage for them to do. Of course we will not accept jobs for what some of the illegals will accept. Many of them work for illegally low wages and for employers that refuse to provide required workers comp coverage.

Heck, we cannot even get Walmart to abide by the wage laws and that is with legal workers. What do you think those willing to hire illegals are doing to their slaves...I mean employees.

[blueeagle]

what a load of hooey. The only job some American will not accept is one that the employer is unwilling to pay a reasonable wage for them to do. Of course we will not accept jobs for what some of the illegals will accept. Many of them work for illegally low wages and for employers that refuse to provide required workers comp coverage.

Heck, we cannot even get Walmart to abide by the wage laws and that is with legal workers. What do you think those willing to hire illegals are doing to their slaves...I mean employees.

Well spoken!

You're union man right?

[jk]

=blueeagle;374655

You're union man right?

Why yes I am. Does it show?

and the son of a union man as well.

[blueeagle]

Why yes I am. Does it show?

Yes it does.

and the son of a union man as well.

Likewise.

Unions make this country strong.

[Bubba Jimmy]

Businesses have transferred as much labor cost as they can overseas. Harvesting oranges in Florida and construction of buildings can't be done overseas, but companies still want cheap labor. So how do they get that? The previous poster is right, the illegals take jobs at rates of pay American's won't accept. Companies can't get Americans to do those jobs at the niggardly wages the companies want to offer.

Add to this the fact that the government loves the illegals. They pay into social security and medicare with no prayer of ever collecting any benefits. They keep the system semi-afloat. Trust me, if the government wanted to round up illegal people and export them they certainly have the power to do it. They don't want to do it.

But I don't blame the poor immigrant worker. I'd do exactly what he's doing if I was in his shoes. Wife and kids back home living in a shack on a dirt floor needing the bare necessities of life? Damn straight I'd do it. But the companies who entice them are another story.

[cyjeff]

By the full unemployment numbers (not just those that are currently receiving unemployment but including those that unemployment have run out... those that are taking a part time job instead of the full time job they want... plus those that are underemployed by at least 50% of their usual wage), there are about 17.5% of US citizens out of work.

We need every job we can get.

[blueeagle]

By the full unemployment numbers (not just those that are currently receiving unemployment but including those that unemployment have run out... those that are taking a part time job instead of the full time job they want... plus those that are underemployed by at least 50% of their usual wage), there are about 17.5% of US citizens out of work.

More than that. My area has roughly a 40% real unemployment! THANK YOU GEORGE BUSH!

We need every job we can get.

Amen, brother!