Thread by @alexandrabulat

I heard many people claim we should end "low skilled EU migration" and "of course the brighest and the best should be able to come".

I want to share with you some life stories of the Romanians I interviewed, in the hope they challenge the low-high skilled migrant tickbox ⬇️

Maria came to the UK with a degree in Mathematics from Romania. Her first job was tidying hotel rooms. Then she qualified as a social worker and perfected her English. In less than 5 years, she was a care home manager in a big town.

She shouldn't have been allowed in the UK?

Valentin came to the UK after living in Italy for many years. He started from the bottom again, as a truck driver. Then he was employed in an auto park. In less than 3 years, he was a salesman for luxury cars.

He shouldn't have been allowed in the UK?

Loredana came to the UK after working in banking in Romania for a decade. She did not speak English very well and she first had an exploitative job in Sports Direct. She went to college. Now she works in a well paid admin job.

She shouldn't have been allowed in the UK?

Laurențiu came to the UK at 18. He got the first job on the table as a painter on a construction site. He slept 3 hours a night and was paid less than minimum wage. He was accepted into university and after 8 years he has a UK PhD.

He shouldn't have been allowed in the UK?

These are not exceptions. It is very common for EU people to come to the UK when young. It takes time to qualify, re-qualify, perfect the language and many become "high skilled" just in a few years, working in the NHS, social care, banking, academia and many other sectors.

Not everyone will have a "high skilled" job. And I do not understand why this is seen as a negative. A hospital won't function without cleaners. There are no restaurants without chefs and kitchen porters. There is no night club without security. This work is valuable and needed.

Labelling migrants as either undesirable low skilled or desirable high skilled is so limiting for an informed migration debate.

Your first job won't define your entire life. There is value in work across sectors. Migrants have names and life stories.

Think beyond the tickbox.

P.S. Yes, there people paid less than minimum wage or work for less than market average. Don't blame the individual, blame those in power who can regulate.

No one checked the car wash where Liviu had £3.50/h in 2017. No one closed down the cafe who didn't pay Ioana a fair wage.

P.S. Feel free to share your own story #mymigrationstory

The thread turned into an article. Thank you all for your comments!
metro.co.uk/2018/08/29/the…