Following
Brexit and UK’s final departure from the European Union (EU), ‘‘unskilled
workers’’ and ‘‘non-English speakers’’ from West Africa will be among those
migrants not to be granted visas to enter Britain.
Even
though it is not clear whether or not those currently living in the country
will be included, it would be a fundamental overhaul of the country’s
immigration system.
Already
there are thousands of such West African migrants across Britain and according
to the definition, ‘‘skilled workers’’ would include those migrants who
obtained ‘A’ Levels or Scottish-equivalent standard.
The
Point can also ascertain that if fully implemented in post-Brexit Britain,
several jobs such as waiting staff, farm and factory work, hotels, restaurants,
warehouses etc filled by several West Africans and other migrants from around
the world will be hugely affected.
But
these popular jobs are among those to be removed from the ‘‘new skilled’’
grouping thus causing the uncertainty.
Many
migrants especially those from Francophone West Africa speak little or no
English upon arrival but are usually assisted to learn as they eventually
settle down.
Consequently,
the government would introduce a ‘‘point based’’ immigration system which was
extremely difficult to implement even though it was highlighted severally and
mentioned numerous times in the Tories election manifestos.
Gauging
opinions from several West Africans, this correspondent can equally attest that
there is no doubt the rules will shake the workers. Subsequently, the
considerable number of people who lived and worked in the country for several
years may also be squeezed.
It
could be recalled few weeks ago that the UK overwhelming voted to leave the EU
47 years after it joined in 1973. Thus such rules remained in the Conservative
policy and implementation is a priority.
Already
concerned Gambians and Senegalese who relied on the EU Freedom of Movement and
those considered as ‘‘new arrivals’’ to the country from within the EU may also
lose the right to permanent residence.
Following
the announcement, the opposition Labour party decried it as ‘‘hostile…making it
even harder to attract workers’’.
But previously Prime Minister Boris Johnson,
said that the departure from the EU was ‘‘astonishing moment of
hope…potentially a moment of real national renewal and change’’. He called for
‘‘changes’’.
For this reason, the government is extremely
serious and awfully determined and had already urged employers to ‘‘move away
from relying on ‘‘cheap labor’’.
On its part, the Scottish Nation Party (SNP) strongly argued that it is a ‘‘ridiculous and dangerous idea’’.
UNISON representing health workers across the country, an area that would be seriously affected also called it ‘‘...absolute disaster for the care sector’’.
So
far the so-called ‘‘overseas citizens’’ would need at least 70 points to be
accepted and the salary for skilled workers who wish to enter the country
legally is 25,600 pounds instead of 30,000 pounds as previously demanded.
