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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Workforce fears as migrants leave | Workforce fears as migrants leave |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The Scottish Government has been urged to do more to avert a labour crisis in the Highlands as increasing numbers of migrant workers return home. | The Scottish Government has been urged to do more to avert a labour crisis in the Highlands as increasing numbers of migrant workers return home. |
| More than 2,000 people from Eastern European countries registered for National Insurance in the Highlands last year. | More than 2,000 people from Eastern European countries registered for National Insurance in the Highlands last year. |
| Unofficial figures this year show that a quarter of them have left. | Unofficial figures this year show that a quarter of them have left. |
| The falling value of the pound is thought to be a factor, as well as improving employment prospects abroad. | The falling value of the pound is thought to be a factor, as well as improving employment prospects abroad. |
| Another agency has found that where there were formerly five candidates for every job in catering and hospitality, there are now five jobs for every candidate. | Another agency has found that where there were formerly five candidates for every job in catering and hospitality, there are now five jobs for every candidate. |
| Mark Sutherland-Fraser, who runs recruitment agency Czech Match near Tain in Ross-shire, said businesses could be facing serious workforce shortages by next year. | Mark Sutherland-Fraser, who runs recruitment agency Czech Match near Tain in Ross-shire, said businesses could be facing serious workforce shortages by next year. |
| He said: "Some of my colleagues have been reporting a 40% drop in the number of candidates registering with them. | He said: "Some of my colleagues have been reporting a 40% drop in the number of candidates registering with them. |
| "I have two anecdotes. It took seven weeks to find a kitchen assistant for a restaurant on Loch Ness-side and at the moment it is taking me four weeks to find two commis chefs for a hotel on the island of Skye." | "I have two anecdotes. It took seven weeks to find a kitchen assistant for a restaurant on Loch Ness-side and at the moment it is taking me four weeks to find two commis chefs for a hotel on the island of Skye." |
| He added: "It is going to affect the economy to a certain extent this year, but next year it could be devastating." | He added: "It is going to affect the economy to a certain extent this year, but next year it could be devastating." |
| The Inverness Polish Association has made a number of warnings about a looming crisis, and has criticised the government for failing to respond to calls for help in retaining the Highlands' huge Polish workforce. | The Inverness Polish Association has made a number of warnings about a looming crisis, and has criticised the government for failing to respond to calls for help in retaining the Highlands' huge Polish workforce. |
| The criticism came as Minister for Europe Linda Fabiani met migrant workers involved in projects in Fort William. | The criticism came as Minister for Europe Linda Fabiani met migrant workers involved in projects in Fort William. |
| Funded through the Cultural Bridges Fund, the schemes try to encourage greater understanding of immigrant cultures and social integration in Highland communities. | Funded through the Cultural Bridges Fund, the schemes try to encourage greater understanding of immigrant cultures and social integration in Highland communities. |
| Joanna Napiorowska, a Pole living in Inverness, came to the Highlands for the experience but after two years she now feels it also her time to go back to Poland. | Joanna Napiorowska, a Pole living in Inverness, came to the Highlands for the experience but after two years she now feels it also her time to go back to Poland. |
| Ms Napiorowska added: "A lot of my friends who arrived here with me have decided to go home for good because in Poland it is better money, pay is better and our economy is growing." | Ms Napiorowska added: "A lot of my friends who arrived here with me have decided to go home for good because in Poland it is better money, pay is better and our economy is growing." |