I had to raise some anarchy toward the UK after reading about their newest philosophy: work here, go home.
Here’s the deal: The UK Home Office is working on reform to “reduce immigration to sustainable levels.”
What they really want is a revolving door of skilled workers who didn’t come for the fish and chips.
Apparently, people coming in from outside the European Union with temporary work visas often end up applying for permanent status. Government figures show that the amount of foreigners granted permanent settlement in the UK has more than quadrupled since 1997.
Under the proposed new plan, these workers won’t be able to “switch.”
Instead, visas will be reclassified as temporary or permanent.
Temporary workers are currently allowed to stay for five years, but the new law could restrict them to 12 months. Anyone wanting to stay permanently will have to meet a number of new requirements, including passing an English language proficiency test (do they mean English English or American English?).
Immigration Minister Damian Green said, “We want the brightest and best workers to come to the UK, make a strong contribution to our economy while they are here, and then return home. A small number of exceptional migrants will be able to stay permanently.”
Translation: If you’re not making a valuable contribution to society, you’re not welcome to stay.
Their idea of valuable contribution involves quite a bit of money. People who make more than £150,000 annually (which averages to $250,000) and people in economically important jobs are welcome.
This excludes:
- Domestic workers like cooks and nannies. Unless you’re serving a wealthy diplomat.
- Entrepreneurs. Unless they have more than £5 million to invest.
- Students who come to study, but want to stay and work. They’re “abusing” the government, says Green.
What does Britain consider an economically important job?
There is no solid definition, but when I read they make exceptions for ministers of religion and elite athletes, it became clear.
They don’t want you to make money. They want you to have money. No lower-class citizens allowed.
Capitalism or a thinly veiled disguise of communism? I can’t decide.
