Immigration to Scotland in the 19th century had an economic impact in four main areas: employment, wages, new businesses, and workplace rights. Many Irish immigrants came to Scotland seeking work, taking jobs in mining and mills. While Scottish employers were glad for the larger workforce, some Scots worried immigrants were taking their jobs. Immigrants attracted by higher Scottish wages, but some Scots saw immigrant groups lowering wages. Many immigrants started their own successful businesses, creating jobs. Additionally, Irish immigrants organized unions to advocate for better workplace rights and conditions.
4. The economic impact of
immigration covers four
main issues:
• Employment
• Wages
• New businesses
• Workplace rights
5. Employment
One of the main reasons
that the Irish immigrants
came to Scotland was to
find work.
They did a range of jobs
including mining in
Lanarkshire or mill work in
Dundee.
6. Scottish people had mixed
views about the Irish.
Many Scots were angry,
believing the Irish were
taking jobs from them.
However Scottish
employers were often glad
of the chance to have a
bigger workforce.
7. Wages
Immigrants were often
attracted to Scotland by
higher wages (often six
times as high as in Ireland).
However poorer Scots
workers believed that
different immigrant groups
led to lower wages.
8. New businesses
Many immigrants set up
their own
businesses, making money
and eventually creating
jobs.
Italian immigrants set up
cafes. Irishman Thomas
Lipton became a millionaire
9. Workplace rights
Many Irish immigrants
became involved in
workplace campaigns to
get better rights.
Irishmen set up the Glasgow
Cotton Spinners
Association, to improve
working conditions there.
