THE EDITOR, Sir:I EMIGRATED to England in 1966 with my siblings at the request of my mother and father who were already there.
I lived there until 1975. When I returned to Jamaica as a minor with my parents, my father had given 15 years of dedicated service to British Rail. My mother had also worked part-time at various hospitals while taking care of me and my other siblings.
They have since died, my father, July 1997 and my mother in January 2002.
During this time, I was made redundant after working 11 years as an electrician at a prominent company in Kingston.
Unable to secure employment as an electrician since 1999, I went to England in May of this year at the invitation of my sister to seek opportunity to gain formal qualifications and advance training in electrical engineering.
This I did by enrolling in a college, making a downpayment of £790 to secure a place on this course. However, I had to return to obtain a student visa. This I did, along with all the requested documents.
I made my application to the British High Commission, but the visa was denied. According to the Consular official to quote him:
"My gut feelings tells me you won't be returning to Jamaica".
(2) I don't have enough funds.
(3) I have adequate electrical qualifications to obtain work locally.
This leads me to ask, are these people acquainted with our job market? If so, are they aware of what companies are asking for in terms of qualifications?
I have three sisters and a brother who are British citizens and who have been living in England for over 30 years, plus an uncle, numerous cousins and nieces and nephews and between them, can more than adequately cater for my tuition and boarding accommodation. I am familiar with English laws and customs having lived there.
If I wanted to 'run off' I could have done so. I would not have returned to Jamaica and gone the legitimate route. But I would have gotten lost in the system like the three million who are reportedly living illegally over there.
Therefore, Mr. High Commissioner, who you want in your country? The individuals who will be an asset or the ones who it seems always get through and become a liability?
I am, etc.,
H. MORRIS
hopeelec@yahoo.com
