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On 1st May 2004, Europe celebrates expansion of European Union to mark the end to a century of wars in Europe. The government announced that from the same day all employers in Britain will have to check the immigration status of prospective employees. The maximum penalty for employing unauthorised workers is a £5,000 fine and 2 years' imprisonment. The First and Second World Wars began in Europe, and engulfed the rest of the world in conflict. These wars killed tens of millions of people, and forced many more to be displaced from their homes. Following the Second World War, a large number of Chinese fled to Europe. Because Britain had its largest number of colonies in South East Asia, this made Britain a logical destination for many Chinese. The early Chinese arrivals faced with racism in employment. It was the skills, hard work, and entrepreneurial talent of the Chinese that helped them to establish a strong economic base in Britain. Chinese catering became an integral part of the British catering and tourist industry. Most Chinese catering businesses in the UK are family-run takeaway shops or restaurants. As second-generation, British-educated Chinese join the mainstream workforce, first-generation Chinese are approaching retirement, the Chinese catering industry experienced severe labour shortages in the late 80’s and early 90’s,. The arrival of unauthorised Chinese workers from China and other parts of SE Asia breathed new life to Chinese catering in Britain, and it continued to grow in the last decade. The contribution of unauthorised Chinese workers to the British economy and Chinese catering have been rewarded with discrimination and persecution from the Government. The changes in immigration and asylum laws have created an atmosphere of hate against asylum seekers and new immigrants. The Dover 58 and Morecambe May tragedies were caused by government policies pushing unauthorised workers into the hands of criminals. The Central London Community Law Centre received hundreds of enquiries on the new immigration regulation commenced on 1st May 2004. Many panicked Chinese catering owners dismissed unauthorised workers and some unauthorised workers resigned because of fears of this new regulation. This has plunged the Chinese catering into another severe labour shortage, many take away shops and restaurants are unable to cope with business demands. The government takes the view that EU expansion will solve the labour shortage in Britain. However, new EU labour cannot supply the skills required by the Chinese catering industry. Unauthorised Chinese workers have been the only source of labour for more than a decade. We need to recognise their contributions as they are an integral part of the Chinese community in Britain, and regularise their status so that they may continue to work. Min Quan believes that immigration is a very complicated area of law, it is unreasonable and dangerous to ask employers to check the status of prospective employees. It creates a divided society and divided community. These onerous responsibilities give employers immense burden, in the same time, power and an atmosphere of distrust and fear will be created. These regulations have created panic in the community. It will also created a crisis as unemployed, unauthorised workers are forced to work dangerous jobs to earn a living. More tragedies, like Morecambe Bay, are certain to occur. Many may be forced to go to criminals for help. Min Quan urges you to attend the meeting organised by the All Parties Parliamentary Group on Chinese in Britain on 19th May 2004 at Portcullis House, to raise this matter with your MPs and demand they regularise the status of the unauthorised workers. |
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