Scotland launches hiring drive in Poland

More than 20,000 Poles have registered to work in Scotland in the two years since Poland and nine other countries joined the European Union.

They represent the biggest group among an influx of mainly east European immigrants who have helped address Scotland's demographic challenges.

Scotland's population has increased slightly in the past three years, thanks to immigration, more births and fewer deaths. But at just more than 5m it is still close to its lowest level since the first half of the 20th century, and is forecast to fall below that symbolic level by 2036.

Last year Duncan Macniven, registrar-general, said: "The main reason why Scotland's population has increased for three years in a row is because 19,000 more people migrated to Scotland than moved away. This is the second highest figure for Scotland to date, 7,000 below last year's record figure of 26,000."

Tom McCabe, minister for finance and public service reform, said Scotland and Poland had strong ties. Many Polish war veterans made Scotland their home after 1945 and Polish delicatessens, cafes and clubs opened in many centres.

Mr McCabe said: "The talented and motivated individuals coming from Poland are making a positive contribution to our economy and our cultural diversity."

Aleksander Dietkow, consul general for Poland in Scotland, said about 80 per cent of recent arrivals were less than 35 years old, and 40 per cent less than 25. Of the total, 30-40 per cent had gone to university.

"There are similarities between the people so they find it easier to be accepted into the culture and build good relationships," he said.

First Group, the bus and rail operator, started recruiting eastern European bus drivers in Glasgow in 2004, mainly because it was struggling to hire local applicants. All applicants needed a passenger carrying vehicle licence, which is now standard across the EU.

Alex Shearer, operations director, said: "Almost without exception the 80 or so Polish drivers now employed driving buses for First in Glasgow have proven reliable, good mannered and hard working individuals who, with their families, appear to have integrated well into their new way of life."

However, the campaign to recruit Poles comes on the same day as Citizens Advice Scotland said that increasing numbers of migrant workers were complaining about low pay, long hours and poor accommodation.

The agency said the problems were compounded by language difficulties and a lack of knowledge of basic rights.

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