VOA标准英语2008年-Britain Tightens Entry Rules for Foreign Worker

By Tendai Maphosa
London
07 May 2008

The British government has announced new immigration rules that will require non-European Union skilled workers to earn a certain number of points to enter and work in the country.  The points-based system will also require applicants² to show a level of competence³ in the English language.  Tendai Maphosa has more in this report for VOA from London.

Had the new requirements been in place last year, a Home Office statement says, approximately 20,000 people from outside the European Union would not have been allowed into Britain.
 
The points are generally awarded only if a person can prove they will be doing skilled work, speak good English, and earn more than $48,000 a year.

Critics of the government's migration¹ policies have dismissed the regulations as a political decision in response to growing anti-migrant sentiments.

But Jill Rutter, an immigration expert at the Institute for Public Policy Research says the new system simplifies the process for both job seekers and employers.

However, she says the government could have handled the migration debate better. 

"I think the way government has chosen to announce these new regulations and the tone of the language that it has used has played into the anti-migrant lobby in Britain, has played to the anti-migrant media," Rutter said.  "But if you look at what government is trying to do we would support it, it is trying to bring highly-skilled migrants to meet a real labor⁴ shortage."

Local companies will also need to prove the vacancy⁵ they are hiring a foreign worker for has been advertised in Britain and that they cannot fill the posts with a resident worker.  Prospective⁶ migrants will need a job offer before they even apply for a visa, unless the job is on the shortage occupation list.

Rutter says the contribution of immigrants in critical areas is often overlooked.

"Our National Health Service has been built on the skills of migrants, doctors, nurses, cleaners, technicians, we need to make it easier for this group of people to enter and where needed to remain in the U.K.," Rutter said.

Starting in October, non-EU soccer players and managers will also be required to speak simple English to join top English clubs.  The new rules will also affect artists coming to Britain for performances or festivals.  They will have to apply for a newly introduced business-visit visa. 

1 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

2 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

3 competence   

n.能力，胜任，称职

参考例句：

• This mess is a poor reflection on his competence.这种混乱情况说明他难当此任。
• These are matters within the competence of the court.这些是法院权限以内的事。

4 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

5 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

6 prospective   

adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的

参考例句：

• The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
• They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。