Brexit becomes heated as U.K curry houses come under threat
Restaurant owners believe mass EU migration endangers future of Asain food industry
- Leave campaigner Patel cites injustice as EU chefs walk into jobs without restrictions
- Employment minister aims to save 4 billion pound industry of Britain's favourite cuisine
Things are hotting up for the British referendum on EU memebership on June 23rd, and the latest industry to make noise about the issue is Britain's much-loved curry industry, which is suffering at the hands of free migration within Europe.
The wave of Bangladeshi chefs who have populated various British cities, towns and villages for decades has ground to a halt, with three to five curry houses closing their doors every week, according to employment minister Priti Patel. She believes that it is getting increasingly difficult to attract those skilled restauranteurs from the area.
Three to five curry houses closing their doors every week
"It is manifestly unfair and unjust that curry houses and members of our diaspora communities face having to deal with a second-class immigration system while chefs from the EU can waltz into this country and straight into employment," Patel said.
Current regulations only permit chefs to acquire a visa coming from non-European countries to live in the UK if they earn at least 29,570 pounds a year after accommodation and meal deductions.
Other restrictions exist also, such as having at least 5 years experience and inability to apply for junior chef positions.
"It is manifestly unfair and unjust that curry houses and members of our diaspora communities face having to deal with a second-class immigration system while chefs from the EU can waltz into this country and straight into employment," Patel said.
Current regulations only permit chefs to acquire a visa coming from non-European countries to live in the UK if they earn at least 29,570 pounds a year after
On Wednesday Ms. Patel was joined by Boris Johnson and other members of the Brexit leave campaign outlining an immigration system based on points acquired for qualifications, experience and language skills.
Curry-house owner and vice-president of the Bangladesh Caterers Association Oli Kahn has welcomed the possible decision of Britain to go it alone.
"If we come out of Europe, they will have to give priority to Commonwealth countries again," said Khan. He went on to say that the benefits given to EU citizens on arrival to the UK was in stark contrast to the difficult process of gaining residency suffered by many of those from South Asia.
Despite the origin of the dish, curry has been widely seen as the national dish of Britain, with 12,000 restaurants employing over 100,000 people, according to Cobra Beer, who supply 98% of those
.
