Nurses ‘scared to stay’ in UK due to anti-migrant riots
Due to recent anti-migrant riots, a Belfast nurse has stated that she will leave Northern Ireland when her contract expires. The Indian staff nurse, who wished to remain nameless, said to BBC News NI that she was afraid and that families were extremely afraid.
It follows after several south Belfast businesses were the target of violent protests.
The nurse declared, “I’m afraid to come to the hospital for work.”
As far as BBC News NI is aware, roughly ten foreign nurses who work for the Belfast Trust have announced their intention to leave Northern Ireland.
“I’m returning to India.”
The two and a half-year resident nurse stated that she chose to work in Northern Ireland due to the availability of jobs, but she plans to leave as soon as necessary.
“I’m not going out; I’m working, and we are all frightened,” she stated.
“We are unable to go shopping. Taking kids out is intimidating. It’s quite terrifying.
After my contract expires, I plan to return home. I’m returning to India.
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“This place is abnormal, and the only people who support us are a few friends and coworkers.”
Regarding the attacks, she expressed her inability to comprehend their cause.
“I’m not really sure why they are doing this. I treat everyone equally, so I don’t see why they don’t treat us similarly.
“Maybe I’ve just assisted your grandfather, and we’re just going about our business. Why is this happening, and why are we being singled out?”
John Maxwell, the Belfast Trust’s medical director, stated that the company disapproved of threats and acts of violence directed at employees.
“We hire a lot of foreign workers—more than 1,000 nurses—and we have a great need to retain them,” he stated.
“We would encourage staff to report issues to the PSNI as well as to ourselves at the trust, and we will support them as best we can.”
Mike Nesbitt, the minister of stormont health, expressed his sadness and disgust that several employees felt “vulnerable and unwelcome”.
He went on, “Let me be very clear, you are welcome and deeply valued.”
“There can be no justification for racism or xenophobia; we must all unite to reject the disgusting behaviour and violence we have witnessed in recent days.”
Belfast business owner Jihen reported that during the weekend’s unrest, ten individuals were inside her restaurant when it was stoned.
“I am a Muslim, and the majority of my staff is as well, but this is not an excuse to attack someone based on their background or religion,” she stated.
“I’ve been here for 11 years, and my kids are from here.”
She went on, “People start leaving because they’re scared, but I can’t because all of my savings are here.”
We should close on Friday, the police said, as the demonstration will be the same.
“How can my business operate if we continue to close every weekend? Who’s going to pay my bills?
A grocery that was attacked during the disorder, according to the butcher, has “lost everything”.
Three years ago, Jamal Ghabes moved to Northern Ireland from Syria to work at Sham Supermarket on the Donegall Road.
“It’s all gone, we’ve lost everything, we have zero,” he stated.
“I don’t feel safe here, but my country is not safe either.”
The chaos that erupted on Saturday night followed an anti-immigration demonstration in the city and targeted the shop.
On Monday night, there were also attempts to set the shop on fire, but the authorities managed to put out the minor fire before it became any bigger.
Mr. Ghabes stated that he was unsure of his desire to stay in Northern Ireland.
Since last Tuesday, the day after three young girls were slain in Southport, there has been violent disturbance in towns and cities all around the United Kingdom.
Following, false allegations surfaced on social media blaming someone who had entered the UK illegally.
BBC News NI was informed by an unidentified representative of the Belfast Islamic Centre that his community was feeling “quite vulnerable”.
He said, “People are not feeling safe at all,” adding that some ladies and kids were afraid to walk outside and were anxious about taking public transport.
He claimed that although the institution currently has 24-hour private protection and a consistent police presence, he is aware that this is unsustainable.
“We want the madness to stop and allow people to get back to their normal lives.”
He asserted that worries about immigration had to be directed on the government rather than specific localities.
“Sadly the people who are trying to make a living, they are being affected,” he stated.
Before deciding to come here, some of them had truly lost everything in their native countries, and now they are also being attacked. It’s a truly challenging circumstance.”
He asked for a community effort to assist fix the issue, acknowledging that it was “incredibly challenging” for the police right now.
What took place in Belfast on Monday?
Violence broke out on Monday night, and police were subjected to persistent attacks. The victim of a suspected hate crime is currently in critical condition at a hospital.
As members of the crowd attempted to shield the man, witnesses saw attackers stamp on his head.
Bricks, masonry, and many petrol bombs were thrown in the direction of the police.
Additionally, a Land Rover was doused with petrol and set on fire.
Melanie Jones, an assistant chief constable, stated that “upwards of 100 people were involved” in the disturbance.
Two baton rounds were fired by the officers, striking one person in the hand.
BBC News NI was informed by ACC Jones that they had “a calming effect”.
For the first time in several years, she said, baton rounds were also deployed during Saturday’s disruption.
A 15-year-old boy is being held by the police after being taken into jail on charges of rioting.
Four males were charged earlier on Monday in connection with the disturbance on Saturday.
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