Poles in the U. K. and Emerald Isle

Polish immigrants in the U.K are better workers than those born in Britain and increase economic output of the country, but at the same time cause considerable social tension according to a British government study on the economic impact of immigration.

The study says Poles are more reliable, dutiful and committed to work that the British-born workers and are ready to work overtime without complaining and with less sick-leaves. Many Polish migrants on average earn 60 pounds a week more.

It has been estimated that the economic benefit to Britian is more than 6 billion pounds a year.

But large numbers of migrants also cause certain social tensions, mainly connected with additional burden put on the system of education, health care as well as an increase of flat rental costs. In the UK there are over 300,000 officially registered immigrants from Poland.

There may be close to an equal number of Poles now living in Ireland and they want their mother tongue to be recognized as third official language, alongside English and Gaelic. It would require an amendment to the Irish constitution. The Polish community magazine "Sowa" ("Owl"), started a campaign for Polish to be recognized as an official language in Ireland.

Some government offices serve more Polish only speaking people on a daily basis than natives from Ireland.