This is SO wrong: EU says refugee crisis is ‘sizable’ economic benefit

Refugees walk through fields in Romania after crossing from Croatia [Image: AP].

Refugees walk through fields in Romania after crossing from Croatia [Image: AP].

There are so many levels on which this statement from the European Commission is offensive.

Firstly, if the refugee crisis is improving the economies of EU countries, is the Commission saying that’s a good thing?

Is the Commission saying we need more pointless wars, stirring people up out of their homes to help the economies of countries they probably never wanted to visit, even on holiday?

The report states that the UK will lose out because David Cameron will only allow 4,000 refugees into the country per year. Is this a barely-concealed bribe, to encourage us to take more?

Figures reported yesterday (Thursday) have already shown that the UK has the fastest-growing population in the western world, but that’s not the point.

The point is that the European Commission appears to be saying that the EU should take the opportunity to profit from the suffering of others – and that the UK should participate in this behaviour.

When did the EU become a pack of ghouls?

The refugee crisis is actually having a “sizeable” positive economic impact on some EU countries, European Commission figures suggest.

Economists at the EU’s executive agency say the large influx of people to the bloc from Syria and other conflict zones is likely having a positive effect on growth, employment rates, and long-term public finances in the most affected countries.

The Commission’s autumn economic forecasts 2015 calculate that the expected three million refugee arrivals by the end of 2016 will produce increases in annual GDP growth ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 per cent in EU countries affected by the crisis.

But Britain’s limited contribution for 4,000 refugees a year means it is unlikely to benefit.

Source: The refugee crisis is actually having ‘sizable’ economic benefits in European countries, EU says | Europe | News | The Independent

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6 Comments

  1. Owen Williams November 6, 2015 at 2:34 am - Reply

    Depending on who you read and/or listen to, the EU has always been composed of a pack of ghouls, and an autocratic, Neoliberal pack at that. But then, any such pack of Neoliberal, money-minded machine men *would* see the opportunity for profit in such a large influx of displaced people, and therefore would be inclined to trumpet it to any and all who’ll listen as being the best thing to happen since the first time a loaf of bread was sliced. Of course they’re going to present it as an opportunity and a good thing – they believe it to be so, and want everyone else to think so too.

    Normal people with a shred of compassion will see it for the humanitarian disaster it actually is, and demand that something be done to help; the machine men will then see that demand and turn it around in their favour, probably as a means to exploit that large group of displaced people to batter down costs (read: wages) and drive up profit generated by consumption, as has always been their way.

  2. casalealex November 6, 2015 at 9:25 am - Reply

    Abso-blooming-lutely unbelievable!

    So, if “the refugee crisis is ACTUALLY having a ‘sizeable’ positive impact on SOME EU countries”, which are these countries?

    And therefore, what about the other EU countries which are not having a “positive impact”? such as “….Britain’s limited contribution for 4,000 refugees a year means it is unlikely to benefit”.

    The report goes on to say, “the large influx of people….is LIKELY having a positive effect on growth, employment rates, and long-term public finances in the most affected countries”.

    There is a big difference between ACTUALLY and LIKELY.

    I wonder if the long suffering refugees realise that they are viewed as economic commodities.

    Where is the humanity?

    • Mike Sivier November 6, 2015 at 9:52 am - Reply

      The original article does go on to name the countries that benefit, and they are the usual suspects – like Germany.

      • casalealex November 6, 2015 at 10:35 am - Reply

        Thanks Mike, will look at the original report x

  3. A-Brightfuture November 6, 2015 at 9:55 am - Reply

    I do not think the EU need to worry about the 4000 a year to boost our economy. There are thousands waiting to get their EU passports!!

  4. Barry Davies November 6, 2015 at 4:42 pm - Reply

    We have seen the outcome of mass migration the ever growing numbers of people sanctioned by the DWP to make it look like unemployment is falling when it is essentially growing the removal of the safety net for the sick and disabled, and the NHS not being able to cope with growing numbers of people wanting to use it. There is also the problem of the growing numbers of homeless, and a return to Rachman type landlords, but hey don’t worry the employers can get a steady supply of unqualified cheap labour.

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