Attitudes and perceptions of construction business owners on the effect of immigration within the West London construction business community

The United Kingdom is a popular destination for migrants and West London has become a settlement location for a large influx of immigrants. This research investigates the attitudes of construction business owners in neighbouring communities regarding their perceptions of immigration's effect on the construction business community within West London. This qualitative research study uses phenomenological techniques to explore and present the experiences of 10 participants purposefully selected from those involved in the West London construction industry. Face to face interviews were used as the primary source of data for this study. The emerging themes presented differing views explicitly relating to these complex issues; owing a business as a migrant; employing migrant workers; wage differences; skills and culture of work; social and cultural needs and expectations; inclination towards unionisation and collective actions; reliability, turnover and absenteeism; health and safety concerns; and supply and demand for housing and other basic necessities of life. This study aims to contribute further understanding relating to these key themes so that the West London construction industry is better prepared to cater for the needs of migrant workers.