Reader feedback: Are Slovaks just cheap labour?, March 20 - March 26, 2006, Volume 12, Number 11
It is not true that Slovaks are used as cheap labour in the UK. Many of the Slovaks who come here are highly skilled people and are doing very well in many fields. Why else would there be 38,000 odd still here? Those who do take on "low paid" jobs are also usually over-qualified for the post and do these jobs through their own choice, to make some cash during the summer university break and to improve their language skills. Even then, they are often promoted quickly for their intelligence and strong work ethic, sometimes to the annoyance of lower class British "workers". Add to this the fact that we have a minimum wage in this country and you can be sure that nobody is being used like an illegal Mexican immigrant, Slovakians as EU citizens enjoy the same rights as British subjects. And the economy of the UK is doing just fine thank you and we have more jobs than people willing to work, so feel free to come and make some money, see the country and take the money home, or build a career and settle. Looking at the visa issue, it's obvious that the Americans don't want you.
Luke Rogers,
England
