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A question about the Calais migrants

12 replies

InDespair · 16/06/2015 18:00

Arent they able to live and work in France?

The French have set up camps for them.
(I think I heard that)

Why wont they take some of the responsibility and take them in France?

As for the migrants going to Italy, why dont they fight for their homeland?

Why are they pressured out?

I know many are asylum seekers,, I know their country is war torn, but Isnt there an army fighting for the land?

but just wonderingtoo , as Italy is saying the rest of Europe should take some responsibility too.

Genuine questions.

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claig · 16/06/2015 18:26

'Why wont they take some of the responsibility and take them in France?'

As far as I understand it, the French have offered to take them in France but they want to come to England instead.

'Why are they pressured out? '

Many of them are economic migrants. They have to pay the traffickers a lot of money.

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Branleuse · 16/06/2015 18:35

There are already loads of refugees taken by france. Absolutely equivalent to the amount taken by the UK, but some want to come to the UK specifically as they have the idea that they will be treated with respect and be able to find work etc. Dont be mistaken that the refugees at calais are ALL the refugees

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_refugee_population

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Branleuse · 16/06/2015 18:36

www.unhcr.org.uk/about-us/key-facts-and-figures.html

51.2 million people forcibly displaced worldwide :(

its shocking

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BananaGio · 16/06/2015 18:57

I am in Italy. Last night I watched a documentary on TV here on the plight of the migrants, looking at all stages of their flight. Horrendous stories, horrendous suffering and on a scale I find hard to comprehend. So many war torn countries they are fleeing from. Yes some are economic migrants but so so many are desperately fleeing where they are from. And Italy is 100% right to say the rest of Europe needs to help. Whatever peoples personal feelings towards immigration is the reality is that it is happening, on a frightening scale and the 2 countries who are bearing the brunt due to their geographical positions are Italy and Greece, neither of whom are exactly in the best of positions to deal with the situation. Lampedusa, the island where so many land or are taken to after their boats capsize is 20 sq Km. To put that in perspective the Isle of Wight is 380 sq km. They are coming to Italy and Greece to enter Europe not just Italy and Greece and so Europe needs to do something to help immediately.

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LIZS · 16/06/2015 19:00

Many seem to be educated, having had good jobs back home, and earned enough to pay the traffickers and have smartphones. Some have family already in Europe who they hope to join, others think that highly paid jobs , free accommodation and Oxford education awaits. It is a shame that their energies cannot be focussed to improve the lot of those they leave behind who do not have access to such resources or education.

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Branleuse · 16/06/2015 19:01

the refugees you are seeing at calais ports and maltese detention camps etc are NOT economic migrants

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claig · 16/06/2015 19:27

'are NOT economic migrants'

As far as I understand it, the Eritreans want to avoid military service and have a better life. Syria is in a real war and the majority at Calais are not Syrians. The immigrants have often had to pay lots of money to traffickers.

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claig · 16/06/2015 19:42

It seems it is easier to work in England. In France they have to get papers to be allowed to work and that takes time.


"As the migrants come from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria, if they speak a western language it’s most likely to be English and not French. They know their prospects of finding work - or even managing daily life -- are poor without basic French.
...
While migrants wait an average of two years for a decision [in France] they are not legally permitted to work most of that time. Instead they are reliant on a €336 per month allowance from the French government, which may not seem much, but is significantly more than the €185.90 monthly payment in the UK."

www.thelocal.fr/20141013/calais-migrants-were-not-welcome-in-france

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InDespair · 17/06/2015 16:29

Its awful to see, but Italy is right, the rest of Europe needs to take some of the responsibility.

There are a number of countries in Europe but Italy Greece and in the case of Calais, the UK seem to be the main targets. So what are the rest doing?

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claig · 17/06/2015 16:33

In the long run, left wing governments will fall because they won't be allowed do much by the elite.

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HuftysTrain · 17/06/2015 16:55

It's easier for them to work in the UK. Can also work illegally quite easily. Plus our benefits (in or out of work) are the stuff of legends to these people.

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Superexcited · 17/06/2015 17:04

I think more than just Europe need to take responsibility. Australia need to be forced to take their fair share of migrants, they should not be allowed to escort the boats back to the African countries where they originated.
Most of the people fleeing are desperate. It takes desperation to put yourself in an overcrowded boat which isn't sea worthy and even further desperation to put your children in the boat.
France has taken lots of migrants but some migrants are keen to get to Britain as they believe it is the land of hope and promise. I don't see how France can stop them from trying if they are determined enough.
The situation in South Asia seems even worse with migrant boats refused entry to countries and pushed back out to sea without any plan for the people on board.

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