We reported today that the owner of a cab firm in Kent has been criticized for praising foreign workers while acknowledging that they often work harder than native UK citizens.

This has long been a widely held belief across the world, as in some parts of the world natives to which ever country in question just won’t do certain jobs. There are a few examples that spring to mind, the olive fields in southern Italy – where the workers are predominantly African, paid very little yet integral to the olive economy for example. Workers within this field, if they were to be ‘native’ workers, would be extremely despondent at such a job and as such would not do it to the fullest of their capabilities.

This is the same feeling a shelf-packer or factory worker would have; as soon as they can they get their jacket and get out of there. What makes the foreign worker stand out from this cast of wage-seekers is the sheer joy they most have at being given the opportunity to work hard – most times it is true that these workers are unskilled, but it is also true that most times they previously did not have the opportunity to work (or if they did for a lot less money).

These are not UK visa holders

Working is fundamental to some kind of fulfillment, it’s essential for a healthy life balance. Some of us may deride the fact that we have to do it, however, living in a world where we cannot work, you would soon start to climb the walls – or have I got that the wrong way round?

As the new coalition government in the UK has also announced plans to cut the numbers currently claiming state benefits, it seems that even though native workers within lower skilled sectors might not be as hard working as those born overseas, those not currently cashing a wage may be forced to attempt it.