Eastern Europeans and British symbiosis

After reading several British online articles, it seems that the Eastern European wave of immigration to Great Britain is still one of the top subjects of the concerned British citizens.  Because of the sheer numbers (800,000 or more), Poles are singled out as the one nationality that is overtaking the fragile British job market. In my previous post "Can Brits accept Poles living in Britain?", I had a chance to discuss the subject with the interested parties.

As a Polish immigrant living in the US for 19 years, I understand the pushback and worries of the native population when it comes to a rapid influx of a foreign culture.  I probably shouldn't mention native population realizing the fate of the native American Indians.  All my Polish friends traveled the same immigrant road so both sides have valid arguments.

Perhaps US is a bit different when it comes to treatment of the immigrants but the struggle of the new immigrants is very similar.  Lack of English language skills, unknown environment, learning how things work, getting around bureaucracy, and homesickness are the roadblocks of every immigrant.

So why are the Brits are so afraid of the new immigrants?

1. They don't understand the culture and language.  All the sz, rz, cz, dz sounds just don't make any sense.
2. They think that the immigrants steal their jobs.  The BIG question is which jobs?
3. They want the immigrants to blend in and fully adopt the British culture.  For the most part the tea time and cucumber sandwich.
4. They are afraid of the whole social warfare system collapse.  I would deflect that worry toward the non-European refugees.  Let's leave it at that.
5. They want the immigrants to pay their fair share of taxes.  I suspect that most of them do already.
6. They can't deal with the increase of the crime.  Statistics dear Watson!

Those are my 6 more important worries.  Feel free to comment and add more below.

Why Brits should be grateful for the new Eastern European immigrants?

1. Kids of the immigrants will basically pay for your retirement. This is a big one.
2. Your aging population will get a healthy kick of working-age, young workers.
3. Your stiff culture will be injected with revitalized and lively traditions.  Get ready for some kielbasa, pierogi, bigos, makowiec, Wielkanoc, Boze Narodzenie, Constituion Day… the list goes on.
4. Your country will save tons of money on trade education since Poland and other counties already paid for the training.  In return, you can spend money on our kids who will repay you in about 50 years.

Recently, BBC came out with a great documentary about Eastern European immigrants in a town of Peterborough.  The best comment: Part 3 @ 5:29.  Watch it and draw your own conclusion.

 

Can Brits accept Poles living in Britain?

After reading The Telegraph’s article “Why Poles love coming to Britain“, I was surprised with all the comments, both positive and negative, about Poles and the British immigration situation in general.  The conversation became quite heated, so, I jumped in with my own arguments.
The diversity of the comments was quite enjoyable.  It must be a different readership sampling or more involved citizens.  In any case, arguments from the pro-immigration group and the not-so-much-for-more-immigrants people, were interesting and illuminating.

It seems that Brits, as any other nation obviously, are quite disgusted with the freeloading hordes of immigrants taking over their country.  No argument here.  Germans deal with their Turks, France with Gypsies, Denmark with Pakistanis and Somalis, and United States with Mexicans.  However, British situation is different since a majority of the latest immigrants are from the Eastern Europe making them an easy target.

Why an easy target?  Because, immigrants from the EU member states are eligible for all the social net goodies enjoyed by the native Brits.  And that is the real issue here.  Speaking broken-English, fresh of the plane or a bus, newcomers looking for a chance of a better life, chipping away the status quo of the “regular” or “integrated” immigrants.  Doesn’t matter that an overwhelming majority of Poles are willing to work hard and establish their households to bring or start their families.  To some Brits, they are a threat.

For some reason, some of the comments marginalized Polish soldiers sacrifices during the WWII, mentioned in the article.  Perhaps Brits don’t want to remember this fact but Poles did fights on all fronts of the WWII, including UK.

UberNibbler: So 5,820,000 Poles, including 3,000,000 Polish Jews, or 16% of the total population killed during the WWII is not enough for you? Looks like UK lost 450,900 people or 0.94% of the total population. US lost 418,500 people.  France 567,600.  When you take the number of total pre-war population of Western Europe, it looks to me that Poland suffered its fair share.  How many unaccounted murders were committed on the Polish anti-communists after the war?  Well, that’s a book. So don’t you dare insult our patriotism.

zeppelin: The Poles were some of the best spitfire pilots that we had in WW2. I visit some Polish graves of some downed Polish pilots on Romney Marsh, and as far as I am concerned, we are indebted to these men who allowed us our freedom today, and we should remember their sacrifice.

UberNibbler:  First of all, the telegraph website comments are quite an adventure.  In a positive way.  Great conversations.
Well, since you started, let’s have a quick history WWII lesson, shall we?
—RAF No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N…
—Battle of Monte Cassino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B…
—Breaking the Enigma code – surprised?
http://www.polandinexile.com/e…
—1st Armoured Divison – Polish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1…
—Cichociemni – “The Unseen and Silent” covert operation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C…
…and finally, a nice summary of the Polish contribution during the WWII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P…
As a first country in Europe, Poland took on Hitler and said no to his insane view of new Europe.  You can say anything about Poles but when it comes to the credit for our history, we take what’s ours.

pry: Do not forget the “doomed soldiers” of the biggest anti-communist uprising in Europe lasting till nearly 60′s.

UberNibbler: Absolutely.  To the West -  virtually unknown story of the Polish underground resistance during and way after WWII.  Home Army AK and National Armed Forces NSZ, prosecuted after the war and continuing fighting the communist regime.  If anyone wants to get a feel of that time, watch one of the greatest and most compelling movie released in recent times: General Nil (2009). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…  After years of half-baked productions, this movie, based on a true story of general Emil Fieldorf, shows the real deal.  Another movie, Historia Roja (Story of Roj) currently in production struggling with financing to finish the masterpiece, will tell another true story about Polish commander Mieczyslaw Dziemieszkiewicz.  http://ratujmyroja.pl After years and years of communist and post-communist lies, the true history of those times is finally reaching the light.
…since I’m on the roll here, people tend to forget about France and its sins during WWII.  Comparing to Poland, France shamelessly took the collaborator exit.  So much for the 1939 “power” in Europe. But talking fecal matter about Poland and our “weakness” is ok.  Wrong.

There are tons of more great comments for you to enjoy.  And one that gets right to the point of all that frustration with the immigration is from RodPolisher.  Great nick btw.  Read the articles.  If you dare.

Here’s 3 different families for starters…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…

Like with any society, there is some undesirable behavior.  That would apply to the immigrants but also to the Brits.  Nice counter from: AlenLemone

“UK man held over ‘murder’ in Spain” :
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
“Pictured: Moment British man, 32, is arrested in France for sexual assault and brutal murder of mother-of-three” :
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
“British man arrested in Spain on suspicion of murdering his mother” :
http://www.independent.co.uk/n…
“Briton arrested in Benalmadena for Tenerife brawl death” :
http://www.theolivepress.es/sp…
“Ten Britons arrested in Spain over ‘boiler room fraud’ ” :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-2…

For the rest of us, the number game should provide the best overview of just how much of a burden on the British society are the immigrants.  The IZA (Institute for the Study of Labor) put together a great document summarizing all of the handouts in UK.  You can find it here.
One fact that won’t change regardless of the arguments is: Poles see UK as a great place to work and live.  The big question is: can Brits accept Poles in the long run without prejudice?  I leave you with this:

UberNibbler: Please read between the lines. This article is trying to tell you something.  Legally, UK government cannot pick and choose between “desirable” and “less desirable” immigrants.  Will Poles have easier time adjusting to the British culture, religion, values?  Of course they will.  Poles are Christians, raised in a traditional country, share the patriotism and history of a national pride with the UK.  In fact, regular Polish families see UK as a perfect opportunity to continue their lives in a similar environment, bar the corruption,  distrusted political “elites”, and lack of good paying jobs.  Can the article flatly say: thank you white, conservative, Polish people for rescuing our country?  No, it’s illegal.  But deep down, we all know the game.  The game of racial and religious balance.  Why is Germany no longer seeing Turks as a crisis?  Because Eastern Block balanced the scale. Yes, all immigration brings spice to every country.  As with genetic pool, diversity is needed.  You can thank all the Eastern Europeans in about 20 years when their children start paying for your overrated social benefits. Don’t mention it, you’re welcome.