Immigration, Jobs, and Economic Realities: Time to Rethink the Conversation

Dear Eme,

There’s an issue that keeps cropping up in the media, and it’s a topic that deserves more than just a passing glance: immigration. Some people argue that immigration brings negative impacts, with concerns about increased crime and the all-too-familiar complaint: “They’re taking our jobs.”

In our previous post, we touched on crime, so let’s focus on the latter: legal migration and its effect on the job market.

Many critics overlook a crucial point. In certain periods, when the labour market experiences shortages and there are not enough workers to fill essential roles, the government looks abroad to address the gap. Remember the shortages of fruit pickers and lorry drivers after Brexit? Many of those jobs had been filled by Eastern Europeans, but the gaps became obvious when they left. The real question isn’t, “Why are immigrants taking our jobs?” but, “Where are the natives to fill these roles?” Legal immigrants are not taking jobs, they are filling essential roles and contributing to the economy.

The recent influx of legal migrants from Asia and Africa isn’t random; it’s a direct response to the critical need for workers in health and social care sectors. Without these migrants, our systems would be severely strained. So, to those claiming immigrants are “taking our jobs,” where are they when these roles need to be filled?

You’ll often find that many of these voices are dependent on the social welfare system, relying on government benefits rather than seeking employment. Ironically, these same benefits are supported in part by legal immigrants working two jobs and overtime, contributing heavily to the tax system that funds welfare programs.

Contrary to popular belief, a large number of immigrants with legal documentation aren’t sitting at home waiting for handouts. I’ll tell you why: the funds provided by welfare benefits aren’t enough to sustain them, let alone support their families back home. Many economic migrants sell investments or assets in their home countries just to afford the relocation to the West. Once here, their primary goal is to work—to rebuild their savings, support their families, and maintain their legal status. For those on Tier 2 visas, for example, staying in the UK requires a job, self-sufficiency, and contributions to the economy.

I know immigrants who work two jobs in factories, sacrificing sleep and leisure to provide for their families. If these are the jobs natives claim to want, they should apply for them. But from what I see, many aren’t taking them.

In some cases, natives are abusing the system. I’ve encountered people who accept factory jobs only to lose them within two weeks, returning to benefits until they repeat the cycle. I once spoke with a young British man deeply reliant on welfare. While his mental health struggles were real, his mindset was problematic: he refused to work because he believed it would only serve the “elites” and didn’t want to be a “slave” to the system. His plan? Invest in crypto and live off the government until that day comes.

This mindset doesn’t foster economic growth. If people refuse to work or intentionally under perform, businesses can’t rely on them, and they will be let go, returning to welfare dependency. There’s work to get some of these individuals off the benefits system and into productive roles.

Another important conversation is about the national minimum wage. A lot of recent legal migration has indeed filled low-wage jobs. But here’s a question: how much would the minimum wage increase for natives to be willing to take the jobs currently filled by immigrants? If low-paying work isn’t desirable, then perhaps it’s time to upgrade skills to qualify for higher-paying roles.

As a small business owner, I see both sides of the issue. On one hand, there’s the challenge of covering rising staff costs, which often leads to price increases for goods and services. On the other hand, larger corporations are moving their operations overseas to cut labour costs entirely. It’s a complex conversation worth revisiting in more depth another time.

For now, the point remains clear: there are jobs available, and if natives don’t fill them, the government will continue to bring in immigrants to do so. That’s the economic reality.

As we navigate the complexities of immigration and employment in the UK, we must look beyond the surface-level narratives of ‘job-stealing’ and crime. Instead, let’s engage in a broader conversation about the realities of labour shortages, the economic contributions of legal migrants, and how we can create policies that benefit both native workers and immigrants. It’s time for individuals, employers, and policymakers to come together and find solutions that foster a thriving economy where opportunity is available.

Let’s stop blaming, start collaborating, and ensure that the UK remains where hard work and dedication are rewarded—regardless of where you come from.

Love,