6 out of 10 Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants claimed self-employed status, allowing them wider access to benefits. 59.1 per cent of workers from the two former eastern European states said they were freelance, compared with just 14 per cent of the native UK population. The 59.1 per cent figure equated to 69,000 Romanian and Bulgarian workers, although the figures were calculated before data released earlier this week showed a further rise in the number of migrants from the two countries in Britain. Commentators said the figure showed how determined Romanian and Bulgarian migrants had been to come to Britain even before restrictions on their access to the job market were lifted on January 1. A declaration of self-employment allowed citizens of the two countries to circumvent strict rules which limited them mainly to specific low-skilled roles. Sir Andrew Green, chairman of MigrationWatch UK, which campaigns for tougher immigration laws, said: “This clearly indicates that a significant number of Romanians and Bulgarians have avoided the restrictions placed on them in recent years. “This has not only allowed them to work here but has given them full access to the welfare state. “Whether or not you call it benefit tourism, there is no doubt that the access to in-work benefits that is granted to the self-employed is a very strong financial incentive to come to the UK, especially for those with families. Those with a spouse and two children who declared only the minimum wage would get an extra £350 a week on top of their pay”.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:30:01 +0000
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