The "Immigrants-Have-Taken-Our-Jobs" Nonsense

I have heard these arguments before the Brexit (EU referendum) campaigns, but the results of the referendum seem to have given a lease of life to the proponents of the anti-immigrant club who have taken the opportunity to perpetrate hate crimes. The two of the most peddled "issues" relate to the jobs and the NHS. I do not see reasons why these should not be serious issues of concern, but I do not see why the "immigrants" should be demonised are the problem when, in fact, they have contributed (and continue to contribute) a huge sum to the NHS and provide thousands (could be millions) of jobs to UK residents.

Those in the UK crying how much "immigrants have taken our jobs" really need to shut up. Seriously. Yes, it is true that there are many people of all descents in London, for example, who have taken up jobs that the "Brits proper" could (or even can) not ordinarily take. Without these, the economy and the general welfare of the residents would be way below the current. I am talking of all sectors that matter, including health (e.g. nurses, doctors, carers etc), transport (think of bus drivers, cabbies etc) real estate (e.g. cleaning/hygiene, maintenance etc), security, hospitality (hotels, restaurants etc) and the local retail sector among others.

Amid all these grievances, nobody seems to say how many jobs the so-called "immigrants" have GENERATED or how much they contribute to the NHS that some are claiming has been "raided". By the way, you might be surprised to learn that one of the two co-founders of the British multinational retail chain Marks & Spencer (or, fondly, M&S) was an immigrant. Michael Marks (hence "Marks" in the "Marks & Spencer), a Polish-Jewish businessman and entrepreneur, co-founded the "British" multinational that raked 10.3 billion GBP in revenue last year (2015).

A recent (2014) report noted that 14% of start-up businesses in the UK were founded by immigrant entrepreneurs. It observed that there are (by 2014) 456,073 immigrant entrepreneurs working in the UK who had founded 464,527 businesses. These, in turn, employed 8.3 million people. Note also that the net migrants who have entered the UK since 1990 is only 5.2 million. It is also said that immigrants are more likely to start businesses than native Britons, with (over) 17.2% of non-UK nationals having started their own businesses. Compare this with a paltry 10.4% of Britons who set up business, and at a much advanced age (of 52.1 years on average).

This is just a minuscule of the overwhelming evidence showing that the immigrants are not "vermin" as many have been made (or would love) to think. It is hypocritical, and reflects badly on (the former Great) Britain, to make euphoric claims that are not meant to solve anything but only fuel political tensions and unrest. It is just a silly political tool used by for political expediency, if you ask me.

I actually had no idea that politicians in the UK would have such (baseless) influence and appeal to so many people. It is such a shame, and embarrasses the millions of Brits spread in the world getting themselves a life. It has put the Brits (and those who may be mistaken to be British) in defence everywhere: "not all of us....". We need the world to be sober. We must refuse divisive politics in our countries, because such only help in diverting attention from the real issues which governments and other agencies have failed to address. It is only in sobriety that those things can be addressed for a more prosperous and peaceful world.