Published
Article written by
For some migrants, the UK is particularly attractive in terms of employment. This is even more the case since Brexit and the labor shortage. But often, the reality on site is far from the dream.
The image that the United Kingdom has been sending back for decades is that of an Eldorado where migrants, even without papers, could work easily, and much more than in other European countries. To the point of encouraging the crossings of the English Channel, which are always more numerous. But the reality is much more nuanced. In the district of Soho (United Kingdom), in the center of London, the Syrian Imad Alarnab embodies the British dream where everything would be possible. He moved here six years ago after fleeing the war. He now runs his restaurant, Imad’s Kitchen, one of the most famous in the capital, as he did in Damascus (Syria).
With only 4% unemployment, finding a job is in theory easier in the UK than elsewhere. Especially since for undocumented migrants, undeclared work, which for a long time was little controlled in United Kingdom, fuels this image of easy, if precarious, access to employment. But those days are over, according to immigration lawyer Zeena Luchowa. Borders and rules have tightened, especially since Brexit. “The measures have been reinforced to create what is called a ‘hostile environment’. There are, for example, additional supporting documents to be provided on the work permit and stronger penalties for employers who hire illegal workers”, she explains. Without a visa or refugee status, the UK is, in fact, no El Dorado at all. For example, asylum seekers are prohibited from working for at least a year.
team of the week
-
Editor-in-chief
Elsa Pallot
-
Deputy editor-in-chief
Sebastien Renout, Anne Poncinet, Arnaud Comte
-
Editor
Delphine Moninot
-
Joker
Karine Baste
The weekend team
-
Editor-in-chief
Franck Genauzeau
-
Deputy editor-in-chief
Irene Benefice, Willy Gouville, Jean-Francois Monier
-
Editor
Jean Louis Gaudin
-
Joker
Thomas Sotto
view all magazines
the news at 8 p.m.
Every day, receive your 8 p.m. news directly
Newsletter subscription
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you newsletters.
items On the same topic
Seen from Europe
Franceinfo selects daily content from European public audiovisual media, members of Eurovision. These contents are published in English or French.