Ethnic Catering Alliance to hold demo over immigration rules

The Ethnic Catering Alliance is calling on operators to join them this Sunday (20 April) in a demonstration at London's Trafalgar Square.

The organisation, which has been formed by the Chinese, Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani and Turkish catering communities, aims to draw the Government's attention to the problems they face as a result of current immigration policies.

The move comes on the back of the new points-system for immigrants from outside the EU, which favours highly skilled migrants who can fill gaps in the labour market.

The group wants to urge Government to ease new restrictions on migrant workers for the ethnic restaurant market.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that British workers are to be trained up to fill staff shortages in ethnic restaurants.

He said that the Government has come to a "fair" position on immigration but added that he wants to help people already in Britain train up to fill the jobs.

The Ethnic Catering Alliance's event on Sunday will take place from 12-3pm.

British workers to be trained to fill curry house skills shortage >>

Immigration squeeze hits ethnic restaurant sector >>

UK curry houses face staffing crisis >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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