Romania strikes back over stereotyped misrepresentation of migrants

As the debate over immigration rumbles on in the UK, Romania is hitting back over accusations of scroungers, scam artists and other undesirables queuing to get into Britain at the first opportunity.

In an aggrieved response to what it sees as scaremongering in the UK Media over the possible increase in Romanian migrants after the lifting of work restrictions in 2014, the Romanian press has launched its own tongue-in-cheek appraisal of the UK. Why, asks an article in a leading Romanian newspaper, would its nationals want to migrate to an island with dreadful weather, worse food and women not half as attractive as those in their own country?

However, behind the tongue-in-cheek comments, there’s a serious message that many Romanian see themselves as potential immigrants who have real contributions to make to Britain’s shaky economy. They describe themselves as hard-working and skilled, with a good command of the English language and a will to integrate.

Editor of the Gandul newspaper Claudiu Pandaru said that the stereotypes mock, disrespect and denigrate his people, claiming his paper’s response shows that Romanians possess intelligent and a great sense of humour. Romanians acknowledge that a few migrants already in the UK have given their country a bad name by criminal activities such as begging and pickpocketing, but insist that it’s home to 80 per cent of taxpaying, law-abiding citizens.

Romania is one of the poorest EU member states, with the British tabloid press stoking racist fears of a mass invasion and warning of a border alert. The government recently stated it was considering negatively-aimed advertisements warning over restrictions on state welfare and deportation if jobs are not found within a short time of arrival.