Migrant workers no longer hold fear for UK employers

Concerns about recruiting migrant workers have receded to such an extent that employers no longer fear attracting negative publicity by using them to fill jobs, reports tomorrowís Personnel Today magazine.

A study by the Institute of Employment Studies (IES) in 2004 found the majority of employers believed the public perception towards migrants was so negative that speaking out would harm their business.

But senior HR professionals at businesses across the UK told Personnel Today that the quality of migrant workers meant potential issues of public image are no longer an issue.

Transport operator FirstGroup is about to hire its 1000th EU bus driver. Jim Dalton, the companyís European recruitment manager, said: ìThe benefits of using migrant workers are enormous. I donít see why any organisations would be scared of employing them.î

Steve Carpenter, head of HR at coffee shop chain Caffe Nero, said: ìWe have a very positive view of migrant workers and this is demonstrated by the fact that we have 66 different nationalities employed with us.î

The comments followed publication of a new IES report for the Home Office which found that employers compared migrants favourably with UK workers, particularly praising their work ethic.

Sally Dench, senior research fellow at the IES, said the concern about damage to reputation was simply not raised. ìThe underlying feeling is that employers are pleased with the quality of migrant labour and the positive effects they can bring,î she said. ìEmployers just donít seem to be bothered about bad publicity.î

Daniel Thomas, news editor at Personnel Today, said: ìEmploying migrants need no longer be a big dark secret. Those firms who put productivity before publicity are clearly reaping the benefits. Expect others to follow suit.î