Coming to the UK

So, unlike half a century ago, the migrant workers today are not likely to stay. Antipodean workers who commonly worked in London restaurants and pubs are now entering Britain’s offices as secretaries and accountants. ‘I thought I’d come and work in London because New Zealand, although it’s a lovely country, is really isolated. Coming to Britian means that I can earn money whilst travelling. I’m getting to see places that I would never would have otherwise,’ says New Zealander, Samantha Rudd, 25, currently an accountant for Sainsburys.

‘Since we’ve got a purpose here we are prepared to work hard at whatever we do. Travelling around the world means we’re open to people and suggestions. I think we make good employees.’ Rudd continues, ‘British employers like Antipodean workers because we work on a temporary basis, which means they don’t get stuck with permanent members of staff. And we like the flexibility because we can just zip off to Europe for a week or two and then come back to work.’

Even though there are IT specialists of all nationalities currently working in Britain, the dearth of staff continues. Britain – along with Germany, France, Canada, Australia and America – is desperate and is now recruiting recruiting as far afield as Bangalore, fast becoming the IT capital of India. The Internet means some IT jobs can be conducted remotely from around the globe and staff are not required to take up residence in the home country of a company.