The widespread wildcat strikes which are sweeping the UK are an understandable response from British workers whose jobs are under threat during this severe economic recession. However, it should be understood that under EU law the government cannot restrict migration from other member states and, more significant here, companies cannot discriminate by nationality among EU nationals. The Government must ask at the very highest level why, if not for economic reasons, would a company discriminate by employing one nationality rather than another. Is it any coincidence that Portugese construction workers earn, on average, one third of their UK counterparts. This is the real question which must be raised in the corridors of Brussels.These issues MUST NOT allow support to develop for the far right who will exploit every situation for their own pernicious ends and Gordon Brown should not fall into their trap by spouting meaningless slogans like "British jobs for British workers"
The greatest danger in a recession is that we start erecting national boundaries to labour and more importantly Capital. That will surely lead to the biggest depression since the 1930's.
British jobs for european workers and european jobs for British workers isn't quite as catchy !
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