Loyalist
05-13-2009, 01:33 AM
Scotland needs to stop fooling itself into thinking it is a tolerant and welcoming nation, a specially convened seminar is to be warned.
The event, hosted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), will hear Scotland is to become increasingly dependent on migrant workers.
But work needs to be done to transform the country's attitudes towards migrants, the EHRC said.
The seminar will be held in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
It is being held in the light of demographic projections that suggest Scotland will face difficulties in the next 15 to 20 years with an ageing population and higher ratio of workers to dependents.
But half of those surveyed for the most recent Social Attitudes Survey believed that Scotland would begin to lose its identity if more Muslims moved to the country, while 30% felt that ethnic minorities and people from Eastern Europe take jobs away from Scots.
Morag Alexander, Scottish commissioner for the EHRC, said the figures betrayed Scotland's perception of itself as a tolerant society.
And she warned the Scotland of 2030 will not be economically or socially fit for purpose unless Scots become more welcoming and tolerant of foreigners. (Continues)
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8046728.stm)
The event, hosted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), will hear Scotland is to become increasingly dependent on migrant workers.
But work needs to be done to transform the country's attitudes towards migrants, the EHRC said.
The seminar will be held in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
It is being held in the light of demographic projections that suggest Scotland will face difficulties in the next 15 to 20 years with an ageing population and higher ratio of workers to dependents.
But half of those surveyed for the most recent Social Attitudes Survey believed that Scotland would begin to lose its identity if more Muslims moved to the country, while 30% felt that ethnic minorities and people from Eastern Europe take jobs away from Scots.
Morag Alexander, Scottish commissioner for the EHRC, said the figures betrayed Scotland's perception of itself as a tolerant society.
And she warned the Scotland of 2030 will not be economically or socially fit for purpose unless Scots become more welcoming and tolerant of foreigners. (Continues)
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8046728.stm)