The postman radiates enthusiastically when he pushes package into my hand. "That's last one. That's it. I'll stop, go back to Poland, "he says. "There are also good jobs. And you pay better again. Why should I stay here? " He's turning around. I call him surprised afterwards, but he is already running a lively step to his van from Parcelforce.
Christmas 2017. He too will not show up again after holidays in January – like so many Poles, Czechs and Hungarians. They're just not coming back.
Ever since Brexit vote in June 2016, fewer people from Eastern European countries have come to Britain. If it was 42,000 before 2016, today it is only 8,000. Although Brexit has not even entered into force, net immigration to UK from old EU Member states has fallen by a third, as is total migration. Worldwide, Britain has lost its attractiveness as a labour market and a living environment. Especially EU citizens who come to UK to look for a job remain away – a problem for industries that rely on a steady stream of foreign workers in UK.
These include hotel and catering industry, agriculture, health care system and industry.
"Our industry is not enough apprentices. The entrepreneurs have been relying on skilled workers from EU for years, "says Tony Burke, spokesman for union Unite. "Our automotive industry, aerospace engineering and engineering need se highly qualified professionals. Until necessary skilled workers have been trained here, years go by, "he says.
Companies are worried about ir skilled workersSince Thatcher years, a functioning apprenticeship system has been lacking in UK. Only in recent years has a system comparable to Germany or Switzerland been built, which is not nearly as well accepted as in Germany. Apprentices, skilled workers, engineers do not enjoy recognition y are accustomed to in continental Europe.
Burke scolded British government's negotiating policy. "If people can't plan ir future, y go back home, or y don't even come," he says. He repeatedly talks with union members who returned to Poland, Czech Republic or Slovenia. The first wave of workers did not appear after summer holidays. After Christmas trend will be stronger, he is sure.
The manufacturing industry is also concerned. Even without Brexit lack of industry skilled workers. At BMW in UK, after initial hesitation, country is now committed to customs union and internal market. In extreme cases, only BMW up to 1,000 highly qualified skilled workers from Eastern Europe could not come back. But even if only a few hundred of m announced, situation would be serious.
The German automobile group trains its apprentices, skilled workers and even students in Oxford. This is to ensure that y meet German quality requirements. At Oxford Brookes Business School, BMW offers a bachelor's degree course in business and automotive management in cooperation with Technical University of Regensburg.
Date Of Update: 26 December 2017, 12:03
