#21. Professor Catherine Barnard: Embracing Immigration, Avoiding Exploitation

Catherine Barnard is a leading Professor in EU law and Employment law at the University of Cambridge, author of three of the primary textbooks in the field, deputy director of UK in a Changing Europe, a non-partisan think-tank looking at the implications of Brexit and its aftermath.SummaryThis episode is a wake-up call. It explores the experiences of EU migrant workers in the UK, focusing on their living conditions, challenges, integration into local communities, and the impact of Brexit. The conversation highlights the exploitation and poor treatment faced by migrant workers, including the withholding of passports and deductions from their income. It also discusses the lack of support and resources for migrant workers, such as limited access to healthcare and language barriers. The episode emphasises the need for better integration efforts and addresses the potential future challenges posed by an ageing population of migrant workers.TakeawaysEU migrant workers in the UK often face exploitative living conditions and poor treatment, including the withholding of passports and deductions from their income.There is a lack of support and resources for migrant workers, such as limited access to healthcare and language barriers.Integration into local communities is challenging due to long working hours, exhaustion, and language barriers.The impact of migration and lack of integration played a significant role in the Brexit vote, with some communities feeling left behind and experiencing a changing identity.The ageing population of EU migrant workers poses future challenges, including increased healthcare needs.Key Moments02:03 Living Conditions and Exploitation06:32 Challenges Faced by EU Migrant Workers12:28 UK's Decision to Allow Unrestricted Access14:54 Living Conditions and Slavery-like Practices24:18 Access to Healthcare27:11 Integration into Local Communities34:14 Impact of Lack of Integration on Brexit37:11 Migration and the Decision to Move41:50 Future Challenges and Aging PopulationMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.