Workers and Shirkers

When people say they don’t want foreign workers,

Do they really mean they don’t want foreign shirkers?

Who come here thinking everything is free

And money grows on almost every tree.

They want a house in somewhere that is nice –

A normal Council flat will not suffice;

The slightest cough, they’re off without delay,

Demanding they be seen that very day.

They use the local schools for all their brood,

And to the patient staff are often rude.

Integration’s not a word they know –

Others ought to change where’er they go.

Nor is work a thing they want to do,

Assuming life on benefits is their due.

And all the time they make sure they receive

A sum each week that most would not believe.      

No-one likes the sort who never give,

Relying just on benefits to live.

But they are different to the ones who came,

And never since have ever made a claim,

But worked right from arrival to succeed

And thus provided for their every need.

They aren’t a burden, and contribute much,

Whether they’re Estonian, French or Dutch;

They integrate, so most are not aware

How many of them might be living there.

If one distinguishes between the types,

Against the workers most will have no gripes;

it is the ones who only come to claim,

Who for the adverse comments are to blame.