Unemployment doubles
Wednesday 1st April 2009, 3:00PM BST.
THE number of jobless Islanders has more than doubled over the past year.
There were more than 1,000 people registered as unemployed at the end of February compared to under 500 people 12 months earlier.
And at the end of last year there were fewer jobs available than at any point in the past decade.
Figures released today by the States Statistics Unit show that rising unemployment began to hit Jersey at the start of the year.
• Picture: Staff at Woolworths were among those made redundant when the store closed at the end of last year
• Full report in today’s Jersey Evening Post
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
JEP Jubilee Editions
Saturday 2 June: Guide to Celebrations
Wednesday 6 June: Souvenir of Events
View The Queen in Jersey supplement
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
Plus all those who have become unemployed (and remain so) over that period who have chosen not to register as such.
Report abuse
I agree with RedRum its fine quoting figures but they are certainly not acurate. I am unemployed but I am not on a register so how many more of us are out there???
Report abuse
Hey ho nothing to worry about here then – move along, move along now – let’s get back to discussing something important in this time of recession like the terrible plight of wealthy OAPs with substantial savings LoL : )
Report abuse
Unfortunately this is now the case throughout the world and Jersey is part of the rest of the world despite what our politician try to pretend.
Report abuse
Okay, hands up please, who didnt see this coming? No doubt the action plan, emergency funds, training programmes etc are already to be rolled out. (I dont think so)
Report abuse
There are the registered unemployed, and – as RedRum and christine pointed out – the unregistered unemployed. And then …
There are also those who are not considered to be unemployed but they are forced to stay home because their children are finished at 3 and there is no affordable school aftercare.
There are also those who are in a job but are constantly on the look-out for another one because they hate the one they’re in. I know quite a lot of people who hate working in the finance industry, but as Jersey does not have that much more to offer these days, they have ended up in a finance job after all. Lucky for them; they are, obviously, much better off than not having a job at all. However, has anyone ever wondered why virtually every single job ad attracts between 100 and 400 applicants? Just not normal! It shows how we live in this bubble where people are made to believe everything is fine, we have a very low unemployment rate. In reality, our job market is quite artificial and its foundations very shaky, indeed. Once again, those with a job – love it or hate it – are much better off than those without and seeking, but I would not cry victory too soon that Jersey’s unemployment rate is still very low!
Report abuse
The unemployment figures are accurate. If you haven’t registered you can’t be that serious about looking for work.
Report abuse
Well I’ve got a simple yet genius idea. No more immigration until unemployment is under control (except for critical jobs such as doctors).
And no unemployment benefit for the unemployed as there are plenty jobs in care homes and planting/picking Jersey Royals in the fields, this could help the obesity problem also.
Report abuse
Now will the COM’s reconsider their proposals for population growth. The draft strategic plan has no proposals regarding unemployment…it has failed to recognise the real problems facing our economy.
Report abuse
I just wonder how many in the jobless figures are the long term bone idle who just live off the rest of us and never want to work, as for those who have been actively looking for work especially school leavers and those of the unemployed may only be the bread winner, please do not get down hearted keep trying, what is annoying is employers who advertise vacancies and do not have the common courtesy to reply to any job applicants, maybe it is time for the states to start work schemes to help the unemployed.
Report abuse
I have been on about this for a couple of years at least now. However no one was listening till recently. Unemployment is going to get a lot higher than this made up figure. Christine is right we haven’t a clue as to how many are unemployed as many are probably not registered as such.
Al is disingenious with his comments. I know of one elderly lady who died a couple of years ago because she couldn’t afford to heat her house properly. She didn’t have loadsa money like he implies all these people have. At this rate we will lose a lot more in the coming years. You never know he could end up as one of the statistics in the future. If everyone else has his attitude no one will care about it.
Luckily for the island the rich won’t be much affected by all this so thats good for Jersey isn’t it?
Report abuse
The whole Social Security system in Jersey is so confusing and I’m still unsure if I’m actually registered as unemployed even though I’m currently receiving Income Support.
Report abuse
6 Eponine…I have to disagree.
Friends of mine have returned to the island after 8 years away because their prospects were dire where they were and the state offered no support. None of the parents are Jersey born, but one had quallies before they left – these were returned to them immediately. They have 3 children, 2 born in the island over 8 years ago.
They’ve been told they would be better off not working because they will get more benefits.
This is criminal and I can’t believe people are being encouraged not to seek employment.
My friends have got free accommodation and the States are paying for carpets and white goods too.
My partner & I have no children and we are both in full time employment (just like many others) yet we don’t have many luxuries and we pay full tax on everything that is taxable. Where is our support? It stinks!
It makes me sick to think that although we work hard for a living and cost the state nothing that those who don’t contribute could end up with a much better lifestyle without even lifting a finger!
Report abuse
10 mr sensible.
They should also look at the legislation which forces employers to advertise a job vacancy. Often the job has gone internally or has even been frozen and so any applications are pretty much ignored (usually without courtesy of advising the applicant). I’ve seen this happen first hand.
How about getting the unemployed people who are on benefits working for the States, cleaning the beaches, or areas of beauty etc? Get them working for their benefits then maybe we wouldn’t begrudge them for having them so much…it will also weed out the bone idlers because if they have to work they may seek a better paying job instead!
Report abuse
I do not agree with Jokers comments
“joker
Posted April 1, 2009 at 4:23 pm The unemployment figures are accurate. If you haven’t registered you can’t be that serious about looking for work.”
I had a meeting with those powers that be at Social Security CV is perfect etc etc.
Unless there is a reson to be registered unemloyed ie living of the States and gaining benefits then they are not interested.
I went for countless positions, often not even getting a reply, I was serious about finding work I had a young family, a mortgage… In the end we sold up in Jersey, we rent a flat and we now live a two centre life with half of the family in France the other in Jersey, this is the only way we can survive, Jersey prices and one income does not always compute, no matter what the powers that be say.
Jersey is heading for a big fall, more unemployment, negative equity on the over inflated house prices and so on.
Report abuse
No need to worry guys.
let’s remember the wise words of certain chief minister and states members (… Terry le sueur..
‘There is no recession in Jersey’
Does he have any clue what he’s talking about? He’s running our island!
Report abuse
Surely as Philip Ozouf is pondering how to spend £140 million, all of the stabilization fund, then an equivalent to the old… winter work scheme should be a contender, most of our working people do not have a Dole mentality,so honest work at a fair rate would help them maintain dignity and keep them afloat…goodness knows there is plenty around here that needs doing.The cost would be minimal and the money would go back in the local economy,can there be a better use than that………?
Report abuse
Annie du fue, phil Perchard and Mr sinsible….three good posts. Now is the time for the S.O.J’s in house mag to show some community spirit and offer a free service to employers who have positions available. It costs the earth to advertise vacancies. Also for the States to raise the age at which the minimum wage applies…16 y.o. school leavers should not command the same rate as a married man with children.
Report abuse
i asked for the figures a few weeks ago and knew this figure would be as it is as i know so many unemployed and jersey being so small we all know. mainly 18 to 25 are unemployed. since income support came in a short while ago this unemployment has increased as i remember when it was parish welfare they gave a single man ten pound a week and chase you out the door saying get a job.now everything is paid for and people dont wonna work as word on the street is income support will pay all. you have to be found to be looking for work in the end but think the lazy uk culture is here regarding welfare as me and so many said so.jobs are hard to find now as we all know ,even i get days when lets give up work and live on support. it goes on.you have people looking for work and others saying i cant be bothered.
Report abuse
If male unemployed do not register they have to pay both employers and employees social security contributions, so there is an ‘incentive’ to register. I agree that female figures may be understated.
When are housing going to stop giving/renewing non-essential J cats in the finance industry?
Report abuse
And if the finance industry collapses, which is what one or 2 people who post on here will be rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of, this figure will double again, possible treble, even quadruple, meaning an even bigger strain on the islands resources.
Expect GST to double.
Report abuse
I was unemployed and registered with this system, since then i have got a job. I went online to ‘unregister’ with them and there is nowhere to do this, how many other people on this list which have found jobs have not been able to take there names off?
Report abuse
Write off last year’s tax bill for each person, this will eat into the £140 million Ozouf is looking to spend to help Jersey’s economy recover.
And it will also bring ITIS up to the present day.
This will give each and every person who works a boost…
Report abuse
Adrian you need to re-read the OAP article I was referring to – my comment is neither disengenous nor does it imply that all OAPs have loadsamoney. You will see the article expressly relates to the plight of OAPs who have managed to build up sufficient savings to live off the interest on those savings until the rates were slashed by the BoE. They are in a very different situation to that of the poor woman you refer to. If these relatively well off OAPs need to spend 5% of there nest egg in this time of deepening recession to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for a year that really is a small hardship.
The unemployment figure will also not capture lost positions where the worker leaves the Island looking for work rather than sit around claiming benefits.
Report abuse
I wonder if this figure will be added to by the non working mums who became pregnant due to not being able to get the morning after pill.
Report abuse
21. Big Bean, if finance does collapse this is when the states have to say Bye Bye, to all the J-cats and stop social security benefit if there are jobs in any area what so ever.
50 years ago there wasn’t much choice for jobs, now schools drive the idea in to people that they are above planting potatoes or working in a shop or care home. There are around 100 jobs in “hospitality and catering” – http://www.gov.je/jobs/
Report abuse
12. Confused – If you’re registered on income support you still have to register separately to work wise to be regarded as unemployed.
Report abuse
A few years ago I was made redundant, I went to the Social Security to inform them and that was that, they did not offer me any help/advice or anything. I always thought you do not get a penny from the States even if you you are hard up. I was out of full-time employmnet for 2 years and did not get any help whatsoever. Is it true that I could have got some help paying the bills? I did manage to get some temporary positions and was applying to almost every job position that was advertised and the most annoying part was when companies did not even acknowledge receipt of my letter. Luckly I have found a position that I really like now, but I am very worried about the future as the business is getting very quiet these days.
Report abuse
Bif Bean If morals and ethics have no place in modern society then by all means carry on down the tax avoidance road. However globally there is growing momentum to stop this abuse of legal systems. Jersey unfortunately has gone down the road off all her eggs in one basket. When the basket gets dropped there will be consequences. Any one who thinks they must have a job because it is their right to have one should remember others take a hit because of their job which entails tax avoidance. They therefore shouldn’t be too surprised when outside pressure is brought to get rid of their job.
GST will only ever go up this is what taxes do they never go down. Even when the government makes promises to remove Income Tax they never keep them. (Ref Napoleonic Wars)
If there are 50% plus non locals over here then this amount are able to relocate quite easily unlike the indigenous population which is outside the EU. I have no problem with these people going to whence they came. I unfortunately do not have this option due to a lack of interest from my government as far as I am concerned.
People today are above themselves and think they should have a nice clean job in finance and a good wage. However they could just as easily be working in the fields or is this beneath them?
Al I think you will find most OAP’s are just the same as ordinary people i.e. most are not well off. I know of very few that are rich. They are therefore being adversely affected by this horrendous tax called GST. Their incomes are often fixed and they are unable to take this big hits with rising prices. If we want a lot of poverty over here in the coming years the government is going the right way about it. It is about time those best able to pay paid more. There can be no excuse for GST when the rich pay so little tax.
Anyone who has made some savings for old age should be congratulated not slagged off. If no one bothered we would all be on welfare and no one would get anything would they? Al remebe rthe Great Depression lasted many years and if you use say 5-10% of your savings each year to get by you will soon be bust. What happens then? I presume you are happy to be paying for these OAP’s as they have no savings anymore, or would you expect them to make themselves homeless to pay their bills? I think anyone who gets to old age shouldn’t need to sell their house to finance themselves this is wrong as others who have milked the system get help.
The whole system overhere is wrong as it rewards those who are lazy and can’t be bothered and those at the other end of the spectrum. However the majority in the middle get to carry the can for both ends. This is wrong and will only led to big problems as more and more people fall into the poverty trap caused by high prices over here.
Add the demographic time bomb in and stir well and you have a recipe for disaster in the coming years. However as I have said before those in charge are to blame for allowing this state of affairs to evolve.
Unemployment is always the hardest thing to measure as it is very difficult to classify someone as unemployed due to the way the government registers their figures. Al is right some unemployment goes unnoticed as some foreign labour will go back home to find a job. Others refuse to claim or find it too difficult to do so. Social Security is not well run in my opinion and causes suffering as well. Due to health issues I took redundancy from my job and spent a year unemployed however I had to pay my social security levels at my previous job level. What a joke when you are earning zero pounds and pence!
The way things are going it would be far easier not to bother at all and let the state pay for everything. Either that or be rich and avoid tax. Being in the middle is a waste of time as you have an unfair tax and social security levee to pay. I think it is only because many people are above milking the system that the government gets away with things as they are.
Report abuse
these figures should(i hope)include all not working on income support and all over the age of 16 in full time education as the majority will join the work force one day.
i urge all people not registered as unemployed to do so.
it is so you could (dont know if it still applies)gain unemployment credits to your social security.
should you get a job soon you may be in a position where you can not get sick pay for 6 months, if you have not got your credits.
anything that i have quoted here is wrong , please can a more informed person correct me here.
good luck to all looking for a job.
Report abuse
Adrian a year ago according to the (other) story these relatively wealthy pensions were supplementing their old age pension with interest on bank deposits. All well and good. Enjoy your retirement particularly if you have had to scrimp and save to get there – I am doing the same (i.e trying to save) myself. Interest rates have come down by approximately 5%. To maintain their comfortable standard of living their savings will accordingly diminish by 5% over this year. Even if they are earning 0% on those savings by placing them under the mattress they can carry on enjoying their comfortable retirement for the next twenty years !
Somehow I don’t think interest rates at 0% and this global recession will last for the next twenty years and if they do all bets are off.
None of that or any of my other posts is a general attack on pensioners some of whom have to live on very limited budgets.
In the end however I would bet that 75% or more of the people on this island would give their eye teeth to know they have a good chance of being financially secure and enjoying a comfortable, although possibly modest, lifestyle for the next twenty + years !
Report abuse
Adrian, I didn’t have the time or the energy to read your latest contribution (29). I got as far as Big Bean and gave up. Sorry!
Report abuse
Just like in the UK, a lot of people let go from ABC1 type roles, wont register as unemployed for many reasons. They will instead chose to not pay “stamp” and run down their savings while they look for a job esp if they dont have family dependendts. So 20, in theory you are right, but in reality there will be a lot of unemployed people actively looking for work who don’t show up in the stats.
Report abuse
Al you fail to miss the point these savings which may only be £10,000 for example will not go far. If the rate of inflation in Jersey is around 7% which it has been at least this year then at this rate their money will be gone a lot quicker than 20 years won’t it? Bank accounts are probably only paying around 1% now a big gap in anyone’s book.
I believe someone to have a comfortable retirement would need at least £250,000 in their bank, who do you think will have this sort of money? Not the workers thats for sure.
Also remember what happens if someone has money in a Jersey bank account and that bank goes under. They will have nothing as our government has ducked its responsibilities yet again in reference to bank deposit protection over here. So I fear your statement about fiancial security could easily be one heart beat away from going up in smoke. What you and others need to realise is there is no such thing as any guarentees for anything in life except death and taxes. Indeed there never has been people have just taken it as such and there is a big difference!
Also if you look at the great depression it lasted a lot longer than people realise! If this follows the same lines we will not be seeing much movement for many years to come. Remember also that the great depression turned in WW2, will history repeat itself here?
I think this “recession” is being down played because those in the know realise the severity of the situation which many especially in politics over here are unaware of Mr.Ozouf & co. are a good example who only a few months ago were giving the appearance that the island was immune to outside problems.
As for the chances of anyone enjoying a comfortable retirement this is now passing into history, as a fable from the past, set up by previous governments, who lulled their people into a false sense of security, about their future lives. It has and always has been an illusion as far as I am concerned. Like I have said on numerous occasions, the only ones to do really well over here are the rich, as they have the means to avoid much tax which the majority don’t have the option to.
Report abuse
Big Bean 32 I quite understand people don’t like thinking about things too much these days. Go back to sleep and pretend all is well with the world.
Report abuse
Jeez Adrian will you stop and re-read the article please and not twist things to look like this relates generally to all pensioners? It specifically relates to pensioners who had enough savings to live comfortably when earning c 6% interest but are struggling now they are earning 1-2%. Nothing else is on topic. Inflation is in fact dropping quickly and ppl are talking about deflation. When inflation rises again interest rates will to counter that. Nothing in life is guaranteed any of us could be struck down tomorrow. BUT these relatively wealthy pensioners are actually doing comparatively well. Many of those now approaching retirement on the other hand have seen perhaps 30% or more of their life savings wiped out as stock markets crashed and will have to consider postponing retirement. That could be 15 years of savings they have struggled to put away flushed.
Moreover any OAP that owns a house has seen it go up by X000% in value over the last twenty or more years and are literally laughing all the way to the bank and should have a comfortable retirement. Have you ever wondered where that massive windfall gain running for many in to hundreds of thousands has come from ? Windfall as in not earned for the avoidance of doubt. It is from everyone’s children and grandchildren having to borrow more and more money and be in deeper and deeper debt. Rising house prices literally transfer wealth from the young to the old who are the only beneficiaries as and when they sell up and move to a smaller property realising this unearned income. Most of those currently in retirement have lived through a golden age.
Report abuse
Age…..we are all heading in the same direction and will all be old one day. The States need to do more for pensioners, otherwise the ‘grey vote’ will have their revenge at election time.
Report abuse
Big bean – I’m totally with you on this one – we’re agreeing more and more everyday m’love
Adrian can you stop proving that you have grasped the english language and write shorter posts – or posts that are broken up? If finance goes the island is doomed as almost everyone in finance is local! You want the J cats off the island? Make it mandatory for the unemployed to train as nurses, teachers or bankers and if they’re too lazy to go back to school refuse to give them benefits?
You’ll find that many more jobs in the hospitality industry are taken by immigrants than in finance… i mean when was the last time you went into a cafe or a shop that didn’t employ immigrants?
Report abuse
Yosser,
If you are male it is not an option not to pay the stamp as you suggest. If you are not working, and do no register as unemployed are resident and of working age you must pay employers and employees contribution(usually at the maximum rate of approx 1,300 per quarter).
Report abuse
Point taken lula.
Finance will leave at some stage and Jersey will be left to its own devices.
Ordinary people will take the brunt of this, however the rich and big business will be able to up sticks and carry on their merry dance elsewhere, unless people globally say enough is enough.
The government is about much use as a chocolate fire guard as far as I am concerned, so don’t look for any help from there.
We will also have the ecological and environmental damage to worry about as well.
Hopefully this is short enough for people to get the jist of things.
Report abuse
Adrian
Please tell me where you got the 7% inflation figure from.
Report abuse
The working situation over here is a shambles at present! I work in finance but it sure took me a hell of a long time to find a job! I came back from university with a degree and i never signed on but was actively looking for work, i worked in bars and flipped burgers for nearly a year! My friend is currently out of work and has been for a few months, she has 9 years experience and is a local yet she cant get work but our foreign counterparts are walking into positions that should be filled by locals! If they dont have the correct qualifications then train them up!! We need to look at Isle of Man for example! If you’re from their you come first in any position of work! Im not saying that i dont think anyone should come here to make a life for themselves but how’s about making it a bit easier for those who are from here and are looking for work!!
There is so much more that could be done! Our so called politicians need to pull their fingers out and stop talking rubbish and get something done about it fast!! Not like they ever will though!!
Report abuse
joker GST was introduced around this time last year at 3%. I believe the APR rate as last month was 3.2% this doesn’t include the rise down to GST I am led to believe.
In calculating the inflation rate property prices aren’t factored in as far as I am aware therefore the rate must be at least 7%. Do you now understand where this 7% comes from? Do you agree with this or not?
Report abuse
Moi, I so totally agree, it’s the same situation as in the UK.
There are jobs that need done that maybe aren’t enough of a priority to pay people to do them, yet we are paying people to ‘do nothing’ while looking for work. So use those on benefits to get Jersey cleaned up, allowing for time to search for other work. Also, get those that commit vandalism or do graffiti to clean it off ‘for free’. This cuts down another expense for the States.
Obviously don’t abuse people on benefits but certainly make them work while claiming benefits, it’s better for the person as well!
And I’m sure catering would happily swap immigrants for locals if it wasn’t that so often when they have employed locals the locals simply haven’t pulled their weight (there are of course some great, hard-working locals in catering). I wonder how many foreign seasonal staff will come into Jersey this summer season? Surely those jobs should go first to people who already live in Jersey and if they don’t pull their weight they should lose their entitlement to benefits when they leave.
Report abuse
No Adrian I don’t. Unfortunately it’s not as simple as adding 3% GST to the RPI which incidently already includes the effects of GST and property prices. RPI was 3.3% in December, 1.9 of that GST induced.
I know what you’re thinking… you’re thinking what about the drop in property prices distorting the ‘low’ inflation figure? Well to be honest in all the excitement food increased 1.5% over the 0.8% drop in house prices. And being that food is more of a necessity than houses you gotta to ask yourself a question – Isn’t food distorting the figure more? Well isn’t it….? Punk!
Report abuse
44. Leah- I work in hospitality and believe me we would love to employ local people that know the island and have a grasp of the English language. We advertise everywhere possible on the island, but we never get local- and very rarely UK- people applying for the positions on offer. Ok, maybe the pay isn’t great in hospitality, but the only way round that is to increase the price of the hotel rooms- which of course isn’t feasible seeing as Jersey is already far too expensive as it is. The only way we can get the more qualified positions such as head chefs is to offer J-cats- so go ahead and do away with J-cats, but as well as getting rid of Finance you will also be killing what’s left of tourism on the island, which correct me if I’m wrong, but leaves you with potatoes as the only industry.
Before local people complain about not getting local jobs- maybe they should start think about doing some real hard work for a change?!
Report abuse
Benefits system was abused by lazy people for years, but now is the time to support people who worked all their life and through recession found themselves in dire straights.
Friend of mine did not register as unemployed because it is pointless. Despite many years of hard graft and contributions paid he will not receive any help as he is from UK not Jersey. Beans were happy to collect his money but nothing will flow back. I am disgusted – no sympathy for honesty over here
Report abuse
Chris – my partner and I are both from the UK (I have now got quallies but he hasn’t) he was entitled to income support when he lost his job – admitidly it was £30 a month or something ridiculous but he was still entitled. Maybe your friend should look up the income support documentation and then if they refuse you can show them that… that’s what we did to the young whipper snapper at the income support desk lol
Report abuse
Well said SM, I have been posting for ages saying that local people (and I am one) complain about J cats send em home but then who would work in the shops/ hotels/ restaurants/ hospitals I think they should all take a day off so we could see what great work they all do!
Report abuse
SM #46, glad it’s not just my friend’s company then. They have employed locals, they still have a couple just now, but the other locals they have had seemed to think the job was there for them to doss about, not to actually pull their weight. It’s really a shame and it gives them a fairly negative view of their fellow islanders, which is sad.
Report abuse
#46 SM and #50 Leah Holmes make good points.
In my office you could easily tell the ‘Beans’ from the foreigners – the ‘Beans’ were heading out the door at 16:50 while the foreigners were turning off the lights at 21:00. Seems commitment to the job was overridden by an overwhelming sense of ‘entitlement’.
Another excellent example of the ‘local attitude’ is that they look to the States to solve evry little problem and to take care of them – there is very little personal responsibility, initiative, or commitment. Look at the response when Woolworths closed – Who can we get to take up the space; Primark, NuLook, etc. You’ll notice a complete absence of the ‘local’ business community in addressing the problem.
I feel that the locals have a real hatred for foreigners, unqualifieds, and J-Cats – but not much in the way of solutions to the island’s problems.
I’d personally like to set up a call centre on the island – employing folks on a decent wage, working from home, and on flex-hours. What a boon to families struggling with daycare costs! Imagine a 100 strong workforce with not a single commuter adding to the traffic problem. Why don’t I?! As a non-qualified resident I am prevented from starting a company by the Regulation of Undertakings. It’s a law to PROTECT locals.
Report abuse
Steve C – sounds like a great idea – I have my quals now so you can set it all up in my name lol
For the record locals don’t hate foreigners – just the ones that are antisocial – don’t speak english and complain ALL THE TIME about housing – i mean they knew the rules before coming here! My sister is unqualified and she lives in a nicer house than I do – it’s just about what you can afford. I’m all for equal rights but when the minority get more rights and opportunities than the majority then we have a problem. I did my time and earnt my quals the hard way and I didn’t complain once!
Report abuse
joker 45. 3.2% – 1.9% = 1.3% inflation this year according to your figures!!! Are you joking?
SteveC it isn’t about hating anyone in particular. I am one of the few with the bar in my passport so am probably by default defined as a proper Jersey person by others, and I don’t hate foreigners. However please remember when in a foreign country try not to upset the indigenous population by exhibiting the following traits to them:-
arrogance,
aloofness,
insulting their intelligence,
thinking you are superior,
condescending etc.
It would also be good to intergrate into the said society by conforming to their rules, regulations and behaviour patterns. Speaking the local language is also a big advantage.
An understanding of and appreciation of said culture and history would also not go amiss.
As with any society too much immigration causes problems you only have to look to the UK to see what I mean.
I believe genuine new commers will get a better reception from true Jersey people than most other places on the planet.
However it is up to newcommers to get to know their neighbours and this is a bad failing with many from the UK who on arriving will insist on not talking to their neighbours even to say Good Morning. For some reason people from the mainland tend to keep themselves to themselves.
Report abuse
I think immigration should be stopped, the jobs they are doing are jobs locals could be doing. Jersey will suffer in the long run especially in terms of pensions etc if they are paying out the money now in unemployment benefits. Once again its those who work that suffer……work all your life but there will nothing left in the pot for you.
Every cafe, bar, nightclub you go in is staffed by europeans who barely understand what your are requesting….ive had this problem on more than one occasion the best was when i ordered a chardonnay and got a shandy…not even close! These are jobs the student population could be doing. Its a shame Jersey has such lax immigration laws especially as we are not part of the EU!
Report abuse