Plan to promote migrant working

The benefits of migrant workers are to be promoted

A campaign to promote migrant labour to employers has been outlined in a report by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).

The project could include a "migrant worker week" as well as a new website to look at the benefits of employing people from outside the UK.

The plans were outlined in the report to the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) social inclusion panel.

It says some big firms fear that using migrants could harm their reputation.

The report reads: "False beliefs and hostility to migrants also undermines social cohesion and discourage migrants from coming to or staying in the region."

The authors also said many businesses in the region benefit from migrant labour which "enables them to fill gaps in labour and skills" as well as opening up new markets.

They are calling for an advertising campaign, press releases and training for frontline public service workers.