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Restaurant bosses stage protest | Restaurant bosses stage protest |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Indian restaurant bosses are staging a protest at the Scottish Parliament over immigration law changes. | |
Restaurant owners claim legislation which came in at the end of February makes it harder for them to bring in staff from outside the European Union. | Restaurant owners claim legislation which came in at the end of February makes it harder for them to bring in staff from outside the European Union. |
They also insist that a shortage of kitchen staff in their eateries has been created as a result. | They also insist that a shortage of kitchen staff in their eateries has been created as a result. |
Immigration is reserved to Westminster, but it is hoped the protest will encourage MSPS to lobby UK politicians. | |
Bashir Ahmad - Scotland's first Asian MSP - said that the change could cause a "curry crisis". | Bashir Ahmad - Scotland's first Asian MSP - said that the change could cause a "curry crisis". |
'Serious problem' | 'Serious problem' |
He said: "Having been a curry restaurant owner myself in the 1980's I remember how difficult it was back then to bring over specialised staff from the subcontinent. | He said: "Having been a curry restaurant owner myself in the 1980's I remember how difficult it was back then to bring over specialised staff from the subcontinent. |
"With more restaurants open now and new tougher immigration laws, for those outside the EU, we are looking at a real curry crisis." | "With more restaurants open now and new tougher immigration laws, for those outside the EU, we are looking at a real curry crisis." |
The SNP MSP for Glasgow claimed curry had been Scotland's favourite dish for a number of years and pointed out Indian restaurants and takeaways generated millions of pounds for the economy. | The SNP MSP for Glasgow claimed curry had been Scotland's favourite dish for a number of years and pointed out Indian restaurants and takeaways generated millions of pounds for the economy. |
But he claimed: "All of this could be under threat if the industry's concerns are not acknowledged and action taken quickly by the Home Office." | But he claimed: "All of this could be under threat if the industry's concerns are not acknowledged and action taken quickly by the Home Office." |
Mr Ahmad said he had already raised the issue with First Minister Alex Salmond and added: "I have no doubt his government will work closely with restaurant owners and the Home Office to resolve this serious problem." | Mr Ahmad said he had already raised the issue with First Minister Alex Salmond and added: "I have no doubt his government will work closely with restaurant owners and the Home Office to resolve this serious problem." |