BEDROCK Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 The television chef, Jamie Oliver, has said that if his restaurants had to rely on British staff rather than European immigrants they would close. Oliver said that immigrants were "stronger" and "tougher" than their British counterparts who tended to "whinge" about too long hours. He said that he had mothers telephoning him to say that their sons were "too tired". His controversial comments come just 24 hours after he sparked anger by saying that families trapped in "modern-day poverty" forked out on giant televisions instead of healthy food. In his latest comments, the 38-year-old told Good Housekeeping magazine: "The average working hours in a week was 80 to 100. That was really normal in my 20s. But the EU regulation now is 48 hours, which is half a week's work for me. And they still whinge about it! "British kids particularly, I have never seen anything so wet behind the ears! "I have mummies phoning up for 23-year-olds saying to me, 'My son is too tired'. On a 48-hour-week! Are you having a laugh?" He told the magazine: "I think our European immigrant friends are much stronger, much tougher. "If we didn't have any, all of my restaurants would close tomorrow. There wouldn't be any Brits to replace them." Oliver, whose restaurants include Fifteen, which helps the young unemployed, and more than 30 UK branches of Jamie's Italian, said: "It's all very well when people are slagging off immigration and I'm sure there are problems. "Older people always complain about youth and I think it's a good thing because it is always changing. The young will be better at different things. But long hours in hot kitchens is not one of them!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgeway84 Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I think he's right. I'm almost 40 and when I see the early twenty something's new to my job arguing with managers and trying to blag I'm amazed. I don't think they're lazy, just spoiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I think Jamie has a valid point.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ousetunes Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I agree with him. I know of a number of instances where kids get their parents to phone up on their behalf in order to apply for a job (in most instances, bar work). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinfoilhat Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 He's bang on with regards to restaurant/hospitality trade. It would cease to exist without them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jace Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 The Fat Tonged Herbert has a new book out, so has to raise some publicity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna B Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I'm not keen on Jamie Oliver, but he may have point. These are the kids some of whom were spoilt rotton during the 'boom' years prior to 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gleadly Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I'd certainly agree with him to an extent, but not everyone can or is willing to work 16 hours a day. 10 or 12 hours maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 The Fat Tonged Herbert has a new book out, so has to raise some publicity. He should know. The fact that you describe him as a 'Fat Tonged Herbert' (sic) says more about you than it does about him. He's worked bloody hard to get where he is today and I'm afraid your snide carping from the sidelines rather typifies the kind of attitudes he's talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerrific Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 He's right. We are too fussy, stuck up or lazy. Or materialistic. Look at post-war Britain, we needed immigrants to fill jobs that we wouldn't/couldn't do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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