London, March 7, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Inspired by American and Australian models, Britain unveiled on Tuesday, March 7, a new controversial point-based immigration system designed to allow only skilled foreign workers into the country, drawing immediate criticism from immigrants' groups.
"Today's announcement sets out the government's policy to deliver a firm but fair, simpler, more transparent and more rigorous system which will benefit our economy and protect our borders," Reuters quoted Home Secretary Charles Clarke as saying.
He believes the new scheme would allow Britain to control immigration more effectively and crack down on illegal immigration.
"Crucially, it will allow us to ensure that only those people with the skills the UK needs come to this country while preventing those without these skills applying."
Under the new system, would-be immigrants from outside the European Union will have to apply for the right to work in Britain through embassies and consulates abroad to test their skills.
They will be given points based on their qualifications, work experience, language ability and age.
Those wishing to come and work in the UK will have to get a certain number of points to be considered for a visa.
The points system, first announced in February 2004, is expected to be put in place mid-2007.
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Prime Minister Tony Blair said the new system would make it "easier and fairer" for them to work and study in Britain.
"I think this system will make a big difference," he said, adding "we have to protect ourselves against abuses."
Under the new scheme, potential immigrants would be divided into categories.
Highly skilled workers such as doctors, engineers and IT and financial experts will be able to come to Britain even if there was no job offer for them.
Skilled workers, like nurses, teachers and plumbers would be able to come to the country if they can plug shortage in the workforce.
Low-skilled workers will be allowed into the country to fill specific job vacancies for fixed periods on guarantees that they will leave at the end of their stay.
Students and temporary workers will be allowed entry for only a short time and if their home country has a formal agreement with Britain.
Abuse
The new scheme drew immediate rebuke from immigrants' groups.
Habib Rahman, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said denying unskilled immigrants the chance to work legally in Britain could "create a workforce ripe for abuse by exploitative employers," according to the BBC News Online.
Danny Sriskandarajah, from the Institute from Public Policy Research, agreed.
He said that new system would only work if it was flexible enough to find the right workers for the right jobs.
The issue of immigration has taken central stage in several European countries with new legislations introduced to stem the flow of immigrants.
On Sunday, January 15, Pope Benedict XVI of the Vatican called for an end to discrimination against legal and illegal immigrants across Europe.
He told thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square that global migration had to be embraced as it developed respect for other cultures and creeds.
According to estimates recently published by the EU's statistics office Eurostat, immigration is holding off the demographic decline in Europe as the natural population growth is slowing across the 25-nation bloc.
All of Europe's heavyweights, except for France, now depend on immigration to keep their populations stable or growing.
"Today's announcement sets out the government's policy to deliver a firm but fair, simpler, more transparent and more rigorous system which will benefit our economy and protect our borders," Reuters quoted Home Secretary Charles Clarke as saying.
He believes the new scheme would allow Britain to control immigration more effectively and crack down on illegal immigration.
"Crucially, it will allow us to ensure that only those people with the skills the UK needs come to this country while preventing those without these skills applying."
Under the new system, would-be immigrants from outside the European Union will have to apply for the right to work in Britain through embassies and consulates abroad to test their skills.
They will be given points based on their qualifications, work experience, language ability and age.
Those wishing to come and work in the UK will have to get a certain number of points to be considered for a visa.
The points system, first announced in February 2004, is expected to be put in place mid-2007.
Categories
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the new system would make it "easier and fairer" for them to work and study in Britain.
"I think this system will make a big difference," he said, adding "we have to protect ourselves against abuses."
Under the new scheme, potential immigrants would be divided into categories.
Highly skilled workers such as doctors, engineers and IT and financial experts will be able to come to Britain even if there was no job offer for them.
Skilled workers, like nurses, teachers and plumbers would be able to come to the country if they can plug shortage in the workforce.
Low-skilled workers will be allowed into the country to fill specific job vacancies for fixed periods on guarantees that they will leave at the end of their stay.
Students and temporary workers will be allowed entry for only a short time and if their home country has a formal agreement with Britain.
Abuse
The new scheme drew immediate rebuke from immigrants' groups.
Habib Rahman, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said denying unskilled immigrants the chance to work legally in Britain could "create a workforce ripe for abuse by exploitative employers," according to the BBC News Online.
Danny Sriskandarajah, from the Institute from Public Policy Research, agreed.
He said that new system would only work if it was flexible enough to find the right workers for the right jobs.
The issue of immigration has taken central stage in several European countries with new legislations introduced to stem the flow of immigrants.
On Sunday, January 15, Pope Benedict XVI of the Vatican called for an end to discrimination against legal and illegal immigrants across Europe.
He told thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square that global migration had to be embraced as it developed respect for other cultures and creeds.
According to estimates recently published by the EU's statistics office Eurostat, immigration is holding off the demographic decline in Europe as the natural population growth is slowing across the 25-nation bloc.
All of Europe's heavyweights, except for France, now depend on immigration to keep their populations stable or growing.
