foreign workers at Brave New Films

Do Open Borders Benefit All? - Viv Regan

2008-07-06T22:38:12Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

NGO organizer Viv Regan argues against stricter immigration controls to Britain, on the claim that open borders and freedom of movement benefit all members of a society in the long run.

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A Debate: "This House Would Let in Fewer Immigrants."

Two teams debate the proposition that immigration policy be changed to reduce the numbers of immigrants allowed into Great Britain. - Cambridge Union Society

Viv Regan is Assistant Director of education charity, NGO, NVYO WORLDwrite which campaigns for global equality. She is also Producer of Chew on it productions and is a freelance assessor of youth programmes and co-director of the educational consultancy ME-WE.

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A Tighter Border for Great Britain? - Roger Helmer

2008-07-06T22:38:13Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Roger Helmer, Conservative Party Member of the European Parliament, argues for increased border security based on what he identifies as four principal categories of immigrants to Britain.

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A Debate: "This House Would Let in Fewer Immigrants."

Two teams debate the proposition that immigration policy be changed to reduce the numbers of immigrants allowed into Great Britain. - Cambridge Union Society

Roger Helmer is a British politician and a Conservative Party Member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands region. He has described himself as a eurosceptic and is a supporter of the Better Off Out campaign.

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Are Americans losing jobs to foreign workers?

2008-06-13T15:30:23Z

The House Committee on Education and Labor held hearings this past Tuesday to investigate whether existing federal programs like H-2A, H-2B ensure that American workers are recruited before employers hire from abroad.

Of particular concern to us was the testimony of Bill Beardall, Director for the Equal Justice Center in Austin, Texas. His major premise was that due to the failure of our government in enforcing wage laws for ALL workers, employers took advantage and exploited undocumented workers, causing a downward spiral of wages, working conditions and job opportunities for American citizens. The best way to ensure labor protections and job opportunities for U.S. workers was to ensure that wage laws and labor protections are fully enforced for all workers regardless of immigration status. Instead of scapegoating undocumented immigrants, Beardall lays emphasis on the need for equal protection of the law in order to find a solution to scrupulous employers benefitting from cheap labor sources.

According to this scenario, the undocumented worker is not to 'blame' for Americans working for less wages and losing their jobs; rather it is the federal government along with scrupulous employers that are at fault. If all workers were treated equally in wages, working conditions and labor protections, we would not see a downward spiral of wages, and hiring an undocumented worker over an American citizen would not be enticing anymore. Consequently, this would also discourage 'illegal immigration' since the concept of 'cheap labor' for hire would not exist.

This take on policymaking makes more sense than raiding workplaces and locking up undocumented workers in our jails. What do you think about Bill Beardall's testimony?

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Foreigners face increasing danger in Afghanistan - 27 Jan 08

2008-06-10T15:36:30Z

A female US aid worker and her Afghan driver have been kidnapped by gunmen in southern Afghanistan.

No group has taken responsibility for the kidnapping, but it's highlighted security concerns for foreign workers in the country.

And after an attack on a popular hotel in Kabul, nearly two weeks ago, Westerners have now been advised to avoid going to public venues.

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