The British government is considering new rules to make the knowledge of English compulsory for all migrant workers as one of the conditions for entry into the country. The restrictions will affect those seeking to work and settle permanently in Britain from non-European Union nations.
“Those who we welcome into the United Kingdom to work and settle here need to understand our traditions and feel that they are part of our shared national culture. They need to integrate into our country, learn English and use our language,” The Sunday Telegraph reported, quoting Home Secretary Jacqui Smith as saying.
Under the government’s new ‘points’ system, there are three main categories of immigrants coming to Britain from outside the EU to work: Highly skilled, skilled and low-skilled workers. The first two groups can eventually settle permanently in Britain while the third cannot.
“At present, people who seek to come to the United Kingdom permanently, or as highly skilled workers are only required to speak English.
“We want to go further and make speaking English a requirement for all those coming into the UK to do lesser skilled work and we will be looking at extending this requirement to those who come to the UK to do low-skilled work as well,” Smith was quoted as saying.