Migrant workers help to fill local labour shortages

A new information pack aims to give newcomers help on a range of issues, from finding a doctor to taxing a car.

The Angus and Tayside areas are seeing an increasing number of foreigners, many from eastern Europe, moving to the areas to seek work.

Last year more than 2,000 migrant workers registered with Angus libraries to access internet and e-mail services.

The pack, available in English, Polish, Russian, Czech and Bulgarian will be distributed throughout the area at places such as health centres, police stations and churches.

Labour shortages

There are now an estimated 4,000 migrant workers in Angus and the local council spearheaded the project to help the workers make a smoother move to the area.

We must ensure that migrant workers in our communities are not isolated through language differences or any other barriers Bill Middleton Angus Provost

Although migrant workers tend to be employed in more labour-intensive jobs such as fruit packing, many have university or professional trade qualifications.

Businesses, who say they are vital for the Angus economy, have welcomed the information pack.

Local company Strathmore Foods has managed to fill labour shortages by employing Eastern Europeans.

Its operations director Elizabeth Jackson said every company employee was a huge asset.

"All our workers have a strong work ethic and we are exceptionally proud of their dedication in ensuring particularly stringent standards when it comes to production," she said.

'Welcoming tradition'

The pack has received backing from several organisations, including regeneration agency Communities Scotland.

The organisation's local area director Sandy Watson said research carried out by the agency found language problems were a major barrier to workers getting advice on local services.

"This welcome pack will go a long way to address this problem and ensure that those coming to work in the county are provided with the information they need to make their stay as enjoyable as possible," he said.

Angus Provost Bill Middleton said the area had a long tradition of welcoming new residents into local communities.