#Letter: Jobs are earned, not given

Brettenwood resident Sylvia Coward writes:

Referring to the letter in the previous North Coast Courier (‘Close the borders’, December 10) relating to foreign truck drivers, let me submit some other points of view to add some balance to the situation.

Has anyone interviewed the employers of the truck drivers, security guards, shop assistants, gardeners and so on? Why are these foreigners employed instead of locals?

Obviously all driving and other qualifications have to be thoroughly checked and validated.

The value of these trucks, whether delivering cargo or mixing cement, is enormous and a huge investment to a company, so excuses such as “I could not find the place”, or “the traffic was too heavy and I had to turn back”, are just not acceptable.

Customers’ business and profits depend on timeous, reliable deliveries.

No one gives you a job.

A company employs you for the service you can deliver, so it is essential to prove your worth and be as competent as you can be.

That makes for a mutually beneficial relationship.

So whether you are a local or a foreigner your work ethic, competence, honesty, integrity and determination to deliver the best is of prime importance.

In that case we all win. A blanket “close the borders” is not a solution.

The negative impact on the goodwill of our country with our neighbours and our local economy and that of our neighbours is too great.