Key messages - Migrants from the A8 countries
Introduction
In our Key Messages series we try to keep things simple and concentrate on the key messages. We’ve used evidence from official sources to back up those messages but have tried not to overburden the reader with information. More information on the issues presented in the series can be found throughout the reports written by Futureskills Scotland and available from their website.
This note presents some key messages from the labour market in relation to workers from A8 countries.
Key Messages
- The A8 countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
- Between May 2004 and March 2007, around 45,000 migrants from the A8 countries registered to work in Scotland. The majority came from Poland.
- Around two-thirds of Scottish A8 migrants work in hospitality and catering, agriculture, administration, business & management services or food processing.
- Jobs are often low skilled with limited prospects but migrants may take them because the pay on offer is better than in their home country and there may be other benefits such as the chance to improve their English
What are the A8 countries?
Figure 1. Countries of the European Union
In May 2004 ten new countries joined the European Union (EU) entitling workers from these countries to certain employment rights in other member states.
Two of those countries (Malta and Cyprus) did not have any restrictions placed on the movement of their workers in the UK (the numbers involved would be very small any way).
Workers from the remaining eight countries (known as the A8) did have restrictions placed on the movement of workers who were required to register with the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) on entry to the UK.
The A8 countries are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. They are shown in orange on the map opposite alongside the other countries of the EU in blue.
How many workers from the A8 countries came to Scotland?
Figure 2. A8 migration to Scotland by country of origin May 2004 - March 2007
Between May 2004 and March 2007, 45,000 migrants from A8 countries came to work in Scotland.
We do not know how many migrants have stayed in Scotland because migrants are not required to tell the authorities if they decide to leave the UK and because they are only required to register for 12 months - after which time they have full rights of free movement within the UK.
Figure 2 shows the number of migrants who have registered to work in Scotland since May 2004 by nationality, and compares this data to the populations of each country.
The majority of migrants are from Poland, reflecting the fact that it is the largest of the A8 countries.
What kind of jobs do A8 workers do?
Figure 3. Workers from A8 countries by sector May 2004 - March 2007
The main sectors employing A8 workers are hospitality and catering, agriculture, administration, business & management services and food processing. Around two-thirds of Scottish A8 migrants work in these sectors.
In Scotland, migrant workers are more likely to work in the hospitality and agricultural sectors than in administration and business services.
A8 migrant workers are typically employed in low-skilled occupations in these sectors. Typical jobs include:
- Kitchen assistants and waiting staff;
- Farm workers, crop harvesters and fruit pickers;
- Cleaners and domestic staff;
- Building labourers; and
- Food processing operatives.
What are the characteristics of A8 workers?
In comparison with the Scottish working age population, it can be said that migrants from the A8 tend to be:
- Younger;
- Disproportionately male;
- Less likely to have dependants;
- Much less likely to be on benefits;
- More likely to be working full-time; and
- More likely to be in low-paid, low-skilled work.
Evidence from the Home Office shows that A8 migrants tend to work in poorly-paid, low-skilled jobs, though this is not universally the case. Most migrants from the A8 earn less than £6 per hour, with many paid at or marginally above the National Minimum Wage.
Why do A8 workers come to Scotland and what do their eimployers think about them?
Recent research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation[1] explored the employment of East and Central European migrants in the UK. This work focused on three sectors - agriculture, construction and hospitality/au pair work.
The research found that many migrants worked for relatively low earnings and longer basic hours than the occupational average. Many were overqualified for the work that they did. Such migrants traded off low-skilled work and limited conditions against the fact that wages were better than in their home country, or for other benefits, such as improving their English language skills.
Employers involved in the study thought that the physical demands of the jobs, low pay and status and long, unpredictable or anti-social hours were barriers to recruiting local workers.
Many employers saw migrants as high quality workers in low-skilled work. Employers commented on migrant workers’ reliability and work ethic, contrasting this favourably with that of the local workforce.
Research by the Department of Work and Pensions[2] suggests that the impact of free movement of workers3 has been modest, but broadly positive, reflecting the flexibility of the UK labour market
[1] Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2006): Fair enough? Central and East European migrants in low-wage employment in the UK
[2] Department for Work and Pensions (2006), The impact of free movement of workers from Central and Eastern Europe on the UK labour market, Working Paper No. 29
