FYI: Refugees Aren’t Out to Steal Anyone’s Jobs
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Some of the most common arguments against allowing more refugees to settle in European countries is that they will take jobs from citizens, rely on the state for money, and cause crime rates to rise. Many people fear that a massive influx of refugees will result in a drain on their country’s economy, and that this will affect things such as their job prospects, healthcare, and pensions. These fears are based on an underlying assumption that wherever displaced people decide to settle, they intend to take advantage of state services as a key means of supporting themselves, and that they will not ultimately become productive members of society. Based on my experiences working closely with individuals on the ground in Calais, I have discovered that this assumption could not be further from the truth.
When speaking with displaced persons in Calais, I have heard a variety of answers when I ask them why they want to go to the UK or elsewhere in Europe. Some say that they hope that they will find security that did not exist for them in their country of origin or on their arduous journey to get here. Others say that they want freedom. For those that wish to go to the UK, this goal is often based on language, as many already speak at least a little bit of English. However, the most common response is that they want to live in Europe to work hard and build a life for themselves.
This response stands in stark contrast to the feelings of locals who feel that displaced persons want to come to their countries to ‘steal’ their jobs or healthcare. In fact, when chatting to people here in Calais about why they want to live in Europe, I have never once heard state services mentioned as a primary or even secondary reason for wanting to do so. The only notable exception is that people hope to settle in a place where the state does in effect provide security and freedoms that simply do not exist in their home countries. One other common response, particularly from younger individuals, is that they hope to receive an education, with the aim of finding a job so that they are better able to build a life for themselves and be productive members of society.
The bottom line is that the people I work with in Calais do not expect handouts from the country in which in they eventually settle. In general, they hope to educate themselves, find jobs, pay taxes, and integrate into society as productive members of it. People seem to have a firm grasp on the idea that little in this world comes for free, and they certainly do not think that the government will support them indefinitely if they successfully claim asylum. They simply want to live in a place where they are protected from persecution and warfare, where they have the opportunity to work hard, contribute to the economy in a positive manner, and build a secure and comfortable life for themselves.
Another common fear amongst Europeans concerned with the influx of asylum seekers is that accepting more refugees will result in an increase in crime. While there will always be exceptions to the norm, my experience working with displaced people on the ground in Calais tends to indicate that this could not be further from the truth. Despite the horrific conditions in which they are currently living, they almost always greet me with a smile and a handshake or a hug. When I am in the field during a food distribution, someone will always bring me a cup of tea, and many offer me a spoon and ask me to share their meal. If I refuse and tell them that they should eat all they can, the inevitable response is that there is plenty of food, so “please, eat with me Sarah! Eat, eat!” This is so common that I often come home having eaten so much that my stomach hurts.
I am consistently astounded by the level of hospitality that people show me and my fellow volunteers, despite the horrible conditions in which they are living. The people we work with in Calais are some of the kindest, most hospitable, and resilient individuals that I have ever met. All they want is to find a place where they can live in peace and security, work hard, contribute to society in a positive manner, and build the sort of life for themselves that most people in the Western world desire. It also makes me think — if this is how they treat people here, while living in some of the worst conditions imaginable, once they are allowed to settle somewhere in Europe, I wouldn’t be able to find a better neighbor.
Right now in Calais, we desperately need your support to continue helping people in need. Whether it’s through fundraising, volunteering or donating, please take action today to make a difference.
