Eurotunnel – Migrant numbers massive increase

On Friday morning I arrived at the Calais terminal for the train to London and was shocked to see the massive number of migrants attempting to enter lorries as they were waiting for security clearance. The lanes for cars was partially blocked at one point and immediately we were ‘mobbed’ by around ten young men all attempting to open the car doors and banging on windows. The French police were there but made no effort whatsoever to stop them. Lorry drivers were forced to defend their own lorries by way of baseball bats and much shouting while again the police did nothing.
The situation is clearly now critical at Calais and I assume the response from the police is a political decision to let the problem leave France.

Trade press article here

http://www.lloydsloadinglist.com/freight-directory/news/Forwarders-avoid-Calais-crossing-as-migrant-threat-grows/62929.htm#.VWRoqZN1Dn8

I read in the past about the fines for lorry drivers and wondered then if it was the right response. Having seen what I saw on Friday I am convinced it is not. Lorry drivers are quite literally fighting migrants off while the police stand by and do nothing.

I in no way have a solution to the problem of illegal migration aside from a knowledge that was I a young man in Libya, Ethiopia or Yemen I too would probably be trying my luck. Clearly the French approach is to try and transfer the problem to the UK and I understand the mayor of Calais is on record as saying she views the problem as a British one and not a French one.

‘Mr Darwin’ – I share your recognition at the level of privilege we who can move easily between countries have. I was recently in Libya and was asked by three separate individuals if I could help them leave the country and get to Europe. In two cases these were well dressed businessmen who I assumed (wrongly) would have the resources to jump on a plane and travel to Europe at the drop of a hat.

I was in Geneva last week at the European Business Aviation Show (lots of business jets and associated stuff) and to hear people discussing major first world problems like champagne storage options on a Gulfstream and the difficulties of finding good leather for seats was an extreme contrast to watching a young man fighting to climb into the back of lorry probably knowing that should he succeed he will have a life of casual labour in a country where he faces deportation every day of his life.

MrMichael – I fully agree an open door policy in Europe is simply not possible regardless of the sympathy we have for the people concerned. I see this as a matter of education, I was speaking recently to a British diplomat based in Lagos Nigeria who talked about a advert campaign the British government has been running to tell Nigerians the truth about seeking asylum in the UK. They were hoping to dispel many myths that exist such. A free house, a government job after three months, free clothes, a free mobile phone. Many poor less educated Nigerians think all this awaits them in the UK if they can just make it to Dover !

It was announced today by the European Commission that 40,000 asylum seekers are to be relocated from Italy and Greece to other European countries, although the wrangling is just starting about who and where.

The UK is outside these arrangements so none will be coming here it appears.

I understand that many have good intentions, and want to work, however at what cost? Surely before treading that path the government needs to address the issue of people in the UK who have been unemployed for years.

A complex issue as you imply, LP.

It seems riot police have been deployed over the last couple of days in Calais.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11179302/French-riot-police-in-battle-with-Calais-migrants-in-pictures.html

‘LuganoPirate’ – as ever some good points there, well made.

Once one gets past the Daily Mail style headlines and looks into the subject a little more objectively there are some interesting facts. Here for example in Belgium there was an analysis carried out of the refugees taken in from the former Yugoslavia. What had happened to them, what jobs did they do, what benefit / cost to Belgian society were they.
The result was overwhelmingly positive. For example 92% had claimed state benefits for no more than six months while they got established. 100% had effectively repaid all benefits received through their subsequent taxation paid and were net contributors to the Belgian economy. 23% had started their own business and were now job creators (restaurants being the most popular). 91% had taken up the language courses available to them and spoke either French or Dutch (depending on their location).

I am old enough to remember the Asian refugees taken in by Britain after they were expelled by Idi Amin, people that arrived in some cases with nothing but their clothes on their backs, some of those have gone on to be millionaires !

In the Swiss Canton of Ticino they have a policy of Italian being the official language. Any application for aid, benefits etc has to be in Italian, not even French or German the other official languages of Switzerland. Further schools teach in Italian and despite one or two classes having a majority of Serbs, no quarter is given. For those who don’t speak the language free lessons are available. It works and people quickly learn the language of the new Canton in which they wish to settle.