Almost half of people in Northern Ireland think migrant workers take jobs away from locals, it was revealed today.
Nearly a third think they came simply to receive benefits, the survey for the Department of Employment and Learning said. Most felt they were putting a strain on services.
The report said attitudes may have hardened with tougher labour market conditions.
Employment minister Sir Reg Empey said the reports also highlighted positive aspects.
“Migrant workers continue to play an important part in shaping our local communities and in contributing to a more diverse and robust Northern Ireland economy,” he said.
“My department remains committed to ensuring their economic and societal contribution is recognised and that their employment rights, as for all Northern Ireland workers, is protected by a modern and effective employment rights infrastructure.”
Today’s report, ‘Attitudes to Migrant Workers: Results from the Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey,‘ followed 1,184 interviews. It said 47 per cent of people felt that migrant workers took jobs away from people who were born in Northern Ireland.
The results were similar to those from the 2007 and 2008 surveys where 45 per cent and 44 per cent respectively voiced similar attitudes.
This year's study found 29 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that migrant workers come to Northern Ireland just to get social security benefits. The results are also similar to earlier surveys.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson has said firms should give jobs to locals ahead of foreign nationals in the current economic downturn.
He said it made sense to give preference to people “with roots here”.
PA