Quote:
Originally Posted by Osem
I imagine he'd very soon change his mind if his very cosy little number was taken by someone willing and able to do it for less. Corbyn and his ilk haven't lived in the real world for a very long time and certainly don't represent those in our society who are deprived of a similarly cosseted existence.
They bang on endlessly about how our services can't cope whilst at the same time claiming that millions more people entering the UK have no negative impact and it's all good for us. Why would anyone believe such BS?
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That'a a great point Osem. When I worked in recruitment, approximately 10 years ago, many advertised jobs would receive around 20 to 30 applications for consideration. I now see advertisements for some clerical/lower paid positions in the NHS (certainly in my area) advising that candidates should submit their application at the earliest opportunity as the post will close after the first 100 applications have been received.
If the employment situation 10 years ago was as it is now, many would not have the same job they do now due to increased competition and the availability of more economical labour costs. I personally believe that, in some cases, British citizens are being overlooked in favour of bi or multi-lingual candidates given the increased number of languages being spoken now within the UK and businesses of course will take advantage of this. As Brits, we were never encouraged to become bi-lingual as we expected everyone else to speak our language. Many European countries do business in their native tongue so we don't have the same opportunities in Europe as Europeans do in Britain. Again, this puts us at a disadvantage - unless of course we all now learn to speak another language fluently.
This does not have the same impact for 'highly-skilled/professional' job seekers as in many cases, we recruit internationally to get the best of the best. It does have an impact on non-professional and unskilled workers who, if unable to find employment in cities which have a high level of 'economic migrants' end up having to claim benefits to support their family. Due to the availability of cheaper labour, the 'living wage' realistically is not a 'living wage'. This situation will not likely improve if the additional countries waiting to join the EU are approved. We simply can't have an open door policy. Not only in respect of employment issues, but for many other issues too.
You may question whether this is contradictory or not. If someone enters the UK on an employment visa, there is a requirement to have a certain level of English speaking skills. With an open door policy, there is no requirement. Many Europeans speak good English but many don't.
Kudos to the NHS worker who told it as it is.
---------- Post added at 07:29 ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taf
I've been to Casualty Units where there are 2 posters. The first is written in several languages stating "This is my language", and the casualty is asked to identify their own language. The other is full of flags of nations in ase they say they can't read.
If they can't read, a translator is called to speak on the phone.
If they can read, out come laminated sheets of questions and answers.
The first questions usually stump many, but often the first, even for people from the EU:
"Are you registered with a GP in the UK?"
"Do you live in this country? If so provide proof of domicile"
"Are you a visitor to this country?"
"Are you a visitor from the EEC, if so do you have your European Health Card?"
"Do you have proof of identity?"
"Are you an asylum seeker. or do you have Leave to Remain in the UK?"
"Do you understand that if you are not entitled, you will be charged for all treatment?"
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At my last appointment, I was asked to bring some ID with me but no-one asked to see it. I think some hospitals have more stringent requirements than others. Unfortunately, some do still slip through.
False ID is easy and cheap to purchase overseas and within the UK and many, whose responsibility it is to check the ID/documentation provided, won't easily recognise whether it is fraudulent or not. It therefore isn't always difficult to register with a GP if you have 'taken care' of the necessary documentation.
I recall a case (I think it was detailed on Panorama or Despatches or some similar programme) where an administrator in a GP Practice sold NHS cards to health tourists to enable them to receive their treatment in the UK. He made a tidy income from it before he was caught. It cost the NHS quite a bit.
If that isn't bad enough, what about the misuse of the EHIC card all around Europe which puts a huge financial burden on the NHS. Check out the Mail Online from August 2015 headed "Ministers order urgent investigation into 'completely unacceptable' revelations foreigners are charging the NHS for care in their OWN country".
Hopefully,for the sake of our NHS things will improve. Although there has been slight improvement in certain areas and surgeries/hospitals are being a little more pro-active in trying to combat health fraud, it's just not quite there at the moment.
God bless our NHS.