Week 14: Eastern European Migration to the United Kingdom

Th United Kingdom became a popular destination for many Eastern European migrants after they obtained membership in the European Union in 2004. Young Eastern Europeans flooded the UK's workforce when the pound was strong and the novelty of living outside the homeland was fresh and exciting. Now, as the economy is worsening and this group of young migrants, many of whom are college-edudacted, is growing tired of working in the unskilled labor force when they are often overqualified for the jobs they have taken. This poses a problem for British industry, however, which has grown somewhat dependent on these young migrants. If they leave as quickly as they came, what will the implications be for the already-downtrodden British economy?

While this issue must be considered, and could very well have negative consequences for the UK's various industry, I think they are worrying too much about what is to come. With unemployment rates rising in the United Kingdom, I don't think industries should be worried about losing their workforce. If the Eastern Europeans leave, there will be plenty of local men and women to take their places.