After the British Strikers were reminded that 1.5 MILLION Brits work in EU countries, the 400 Italian workers hired to work on a new sub contract job seemed PETTY, the Brits called off the Strike. 

Meet the Britons with Foreign Jobs 
BBC News 
February 4, 2009 

British workers are protesting against jobs going to Italians at the Lindsey Oil Refinery. However, what about the 1.5m Britons working in the EU? Are they experiencing such hostility? BBC Radio 5 live's Victoria Derbyshire show asked four of them. 

David Crackett, Italy 

Accountant David has lived in Italy for 34 years and is president of the British Chambers of Commerce for Italy. 

"Italians are a bit surprised about the situation in the UK because they see the English as being a very liberal country where protectionism doesn't exist. 

"I'm not worried, though. Italians are not particularly xenophobic. But I couldn't exclude it if something similar took place in Italy during the current economic climate that there wouldn't be a similar reaction. 

"When I came 34 years ago, it was easier to move around the EU: not because of laws or different regulations but because of the economic climate. It's much more complicated now but I think that's the same for Italians coming to the UK." 

Simon Westgarth, Slovenia 

Simon runs a kayaking business called Gene17 Kayaking in Slovenia and France. 

"There is some local protectionism. Some places you have to go and register locally with the police, and in France, for example, you wouldn't have to do that. 

"In Slovenia last year, there was an accident on the river with a government official and there was kneejerk legislation. Everybody suddenly needed a localised safety qualification. Everyone from outside Slovenia didn't have it. 

"Like everything in tourism, if you bring people from outside you're very welcome. However, if your business starts getting a bit successful, if the local customers start coming to you, it's different. In France, my friend who runs a rafting company got lent on by the French authorities." 

Barry Kearnan, Austria 

Barry followed his girlfriend to Austria. He says there is some discrimination against foreign workers there. 

"It affects small businesses, which make up the bulk of the Austrian economy. There are requirements, qualifications that are only available if you've studied here in order to get these business licences. 

"When I first came here, I thought there would be no problem starting a small photography business. I came up against a brick wall. You had to have seven years' Austrian qualification and you had to do aural tests in German - just in order to be a photographer." 

Rob Jenkins, Spain 

Rob works for an IT company in Madrid. 

"I don't think I'm denying a Spanish person a job. When I got this job four years ago, they were encouraging immigrants to come because of labour shortages. At the moment, they've got 15% unemployment but it isn't really hitting my sector. 

"I wouldn't be too surprised if some resentment did come because it could come in any country when unemployment got very high." 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/7869796.stm