The social and economic experiences of ‘new arrivals’: Evidence from Barnsley Robert MacKenzie and Chris Forde

The Social and Economic Experiences of Asylum Seekers, Migrant Workers, Refugees and Overstayers Funded by ‘Investing a Multicultural Barnsley’ project Research conducted Multi-method research project: Semi-structured interviews; Focus Groups; Questionnaire; (Non) participant observation

Background Long standing interest in migrant workers and access to labour market (Piore, 1979) Research shows migrant workers engaged at all levels in the labour market, but low-skill low paid work dominant (Ryan, 2007; Bach, 2007; Holgate, 2006) Much recent interest within debates over migration on learning (e.g. Home Office, 2004, ‘Integration Matters’) English language learning identified by Home Office as particularly important: -For access to the labour market, in both high-end and low-skilled jobs -For integration See for example Ruth Kelly’s speech at the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, 2006

Methodology Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 46 new arrivals (22 male 24 female) - 21 Asylum seekers -18 Migrant workers - 5 refugees - 2 ‘overstayers’ Interviews with representatives from 24 community support groups, local labour market agencies and employers

Methodology Questionnaire of ‘new arrivals’ Sample based on Barnsley Asylum Team mailing list, Worker Registration Scheme + distributed through drop-in centre, community events and workplace English language plus translated into Russian, Polish and Farsi 400 sent out, 113 returned (28% response rate), from estimated population of approx % of sample migrant workers, 28% asylum seekers, 15% indefinite or special leave to remain, 5% had been refused asylum

Countries of origin of new arrivals in Barnsley Columbia New GuineaGuatemala ChileUkraineEstonia LatviaIraqIran CongoPolandPortugal LithuaniaAlbania Sudan ZimbabweSouth AfricaPakistan AzerbijanMoroccoChechnya HungaryTurkestanChad EritreaMongoliaNigeria GeorgiaBelarusNepal YugoslaviaCameroonRussia Source (survey and interviews)

Linguistic issues in research Survey professionally translated into dominant languages (Russian, Polish and Farsi). Checked by contacts and piloted at community ‘drop in’ group. Open responses also translated Use of translators in interviews and focus groups: problems with bias Additional level of interpretation of respondents’ meaning Worked best when family member or friend acted as translator Deliberate pursuit of agenda amongst some translators Participants ‘self selecting’ to those with more confidence in English language – although some saw as chance to practice English

Access to learning 35% surveyed had undertaken learning in UK Of which 66% had studied English Differences between groups: asylum seekers five times more likely to have undertaken learning in UK than migrant workers For those who hadn’t studied English, there was reliance on spouse or children for language needs

Reasons for undertaking learning 64% motivated by desire to improve English language skills (most common reason) Seen as important for access to labour market…. …for highly skilled jobs “my husband is a medical doctor, a consultant, and I am a qualified nurse….if we had chance to work and be integrated our English would have progressed. Our level of English is not good enough. We lose confidence in our abilities, so long not working in work we are qualified to do. …. and for low skilled jobs: English as the ‘default language’ in workplaces dominated by migrants. -Those without language skills excluded from opportunities Other common reasons were to build confidence, to feel more settled and to provide a structured activity

Forms of English language training Accredited courses (run at local college) perceived by participants to be of vital importance for access to labour market Participation in other introductory English courses and confidence classes also widespread amongst asylum seekers Voluntary work also provided access to local community, which was perceived to help improve English Those excluded from the labour market may have more opportunity to develop English

Impact on labour market access English language skills impacted on access to formal economy? Given opportunities to develop language skills may be more circumscribed for migrant workers this compounds marginal labour market status or location in informal economy Skills and education underutilised Potential contribution to local economy further circumscribed by language skills

Implications for integration Associated with building confidence and sense of engagement with local community Alleviated feelings of isolation and frustration amongst people excluded from labour market Those in the labour market less likely to access learning, less engagement with local community Given importance attached to English language skills by Home Office, suggests impact of integration strategies may be variable across new arrival groups

Policy implications Continued importance of access to language training at all levels Certification of learning Improving access to learning for all ‘new arrivals’, particularly migrant workers Work based learning initiatives reflecting lifelong learning agendas