OVERSEAS RULING IS NOT THE ANSWER

A Home Office report aiming to ease the difficulties for employers recruiting chefs from overseas, was initially welcomed by Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant communities.

The government decision followed a campaign which saw immigration minister Liam Byrne visiting Chinatown and Brick Lane to see chefs in action, taste the results and conclude that UK workers could not fill the vacancies.

But Enam Ali, of the Bangladeshi Restaurants Association says the new Home Office report is "not the answer" as conditions still make it difficult for his members to recruit skilled chefs from their homeland.

"Those coming here must have a good grasp of the English language; the prospects of earning £24,000 a year and enough money to last them for their first month in this country.

"The first generation of chefs arriving in England many years ago could not speak the language but soon picked it up," said Enam, adding that there was a global chef shortage with places like Australia and Dubai seeking to employ them in high numbers.

Words: Les Leonard

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