Migrant Workers In The Highlands
A new study highlighting the recent significant increase in the number of migrant workers in the Highlands and Islands has called for a coordinated approach to helping them integrate into life in the area.
Commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the aim of the research was to provide fresh information and understanding of the growing role overseas nationals are playing in the Highlands and Islands' labour market.
The study also sought to establish the distinctive needs of migrant workers and their employers and to identify ways of meeting these.
With official figures showing that the number of overseas nationals registering as working in the HIE area has doubled to more than 2,500 in two years, the report calls for co-ordination of efforts by the public and private sectors and civil society to address the challenges raised for the area's infrastructure, such as housing and education, by the growth and diversification of the population.
It highlights the need to clarify and agree the responsibilities of employers, public sector bodies at local, regional and national levels, communities and the voluntary sector. It also highlights the importance of recognising integration is an interactive process, involving migrants as well as the host community.
National Insurance Number (NiNo) registration statistics show the number of overseas nationals registering in the HIE area rose from 1,235 to 2,555, between the tax years 2003/04 and 2004/05. The number of people coming to the area from EU accessions states increased eleven-fold during the period to 1,320 (52 per cent of the total).
The NI statistics also show half the overseas nationals registering as living in the eastern part of the HIE area (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey and Moray). Around 80 per cent were 34 years of age or younger and approximately 40 per cent are under 25.
Migrant workers interviewed for the study said the main challenges they faced were poor English language and communication skills, lack of interpretation and translation facilities, lack of appropriate accommodation, difficulties in banking and a lack of information and advice. They reported limited opportunities for social interaction outside work, especially for young people.
Employers who took part in the research highly praised the commitment of the migrant workers, their flexibility and the quality of their work, although some expressed disappointment at the lack of adequate vetting of the employees, particularly with regard to English language skills.
Of 25 migrant workers who took part in the study, most were employed in semi-skilled and unskilled work, often in jobs significantly below their qualification levels and experience. Most reported they were pleased to be in work, despite their employment conditions being characterised by short term contracts, low pay, irregular patterns of working, long hours and lack of training opportunities.
Alex Paterson, director of developing skills at HIE, said: "Overseas nationals are playing an increasingly important role in the Highlands and Islands' labour market. This report provides information and an up-to-date insight into trends and the ways in which the needs of individuals and employers can be effectively addressed."
Research commissioned this year by Communities Scotland and The Highland Council on behalf of the Highland Wellbeing Alliance (which includes HIE, NHS Highland, Northern Constabulary and other public and private
organisations) also confirmed there has been a year on year increase of inward migrants to the Highlands since 2000.
That research focused on the contact front-line staff across a range of public services had with inward migrants and it gauged the level of contact councillors had with inward migrants. Language barriers, knowing how to advise inward migrants and assisting with accommodation and care services were all areas where staff felt they needed to help more.
The Highland Council Convener, and chair of the Wellbeing Alliance, Councillor Alison Magee said: "Across public services in Highland we are agreed that we need more people choosing to live, work and learn in the Highlands if we are to continue to flourish as a region; but we must get the right infrastructure in place to enable more people to stay here and to move here.
"Highland communities are becoming more diverse, children in our schools speak 58 different languages as the language of their family other than English or Gaelic and we must ensure that no one is disadvantaged in accessing services they are entitled to. This year in our annual survey of public opinion of Council services, 84% said that their communities were accepting of people coming to live there from outside the Highlands. I would hope that our inward migrants do feel that they are welcomed."
Natalie Morel, Policy Development Manager with NHS Highland said: "NHS Highland welcomes the release of this study by HIE, particularly as it reports specifically on the views of migrant workers themselves.
"As a provider of services to all Highland residents, we welcome the opportunity to hear the views of those using services and how we can make them accessible, sensitive and appropriate. NHS Highland is currently engaged in a health needs assessment of all black and minority ethnic communities in Highland, including migrant workers and has so far shared some of the findings of the HIE report.
"This study has also illustrated that in order to make the most of the skills that migrant workers bring to the area we have to work together in our personal and professional roles to ensure that we are welcoming and willing to support integration within our society.
"As with other organisations in Highland we also recognise the great benefits that new residents provide to the area as a whole, contributing to the local economy, but also by widening our understanding of other nations. A diverse community is richer in culture knowledge and experience."
The report is available at: www.hie.co.uk/migrant-workers-2005.html.
Ends
1. Commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Mirgrant Workers in the Highlands and Islands report was a collaborative research project between the UHI PolicyWeb and the National Centre for Migration Studies at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic college in Skye.
2. The study adopted a mixed methods strategy, which included qualitative as well as quantitative methods. The inclusion of a range of stakeholders - employers, migrant workers, service providers and national organisations- in the research has ensured a multi-dimensional perspective on the issue of migrant labour. The main methods employed in the study were:
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) is responsible for economic and community development in an area which covers more than half of Scotland, from Shetland to Argyll. HIE's headquarters are in Inverness and most of its services are delivered through ten local enterprise companies. The Network employs around 550 people and last year invested more than £113 million to help people living in the Highlands and Islands realise their full potential. For further information on HIE, log onto www.hie.co.uk