Possible exploitation. Please give me some employment advice

[Clinton]

Since the war in Ukraine started, I've hosted a few Ukrainians, helped numerous others, found people jobs etc. It's mostly gone well. However, I've got one case here on which I'd like your advice.

The yong lady is 25, lives with me (I'm her sponsor). I assisted her with getting a bank account, getting a BRP, registering with GP and dentist, getting an NI number and a whole load of other stuff as is typical with all the Ukrainians I hosted. I also got her a job and she worked for 9 months in this large company, on PAYE, all fine. She was happy there. She went to work 5 days a week, socialised on other days, went on dates, did all the things kids do.

But an older Ukrainian lady, who happens to be settled here, was starting a competing business, offered my guest a job and enticed her to leave her original employer. The attraction was that my guest would be working in an environment with all Ukrainian speakers (there wasn't extra salary or anything). But she was told she'd have a proper contract, get paid officially etc. I was happy for her.

My guest accordingly left her job to start with the new employer last month. However, the new employer said that there would first be a period of volunteering to redecorate the premises before opening to the public. My guest "volunteered" over a couple of weeks (without any compensation of course). She was fine with it. After all, she was helping another Ukrainian, wasn't she?

Then the time came to open the business and my guest was told she needed to work for free for a few days to see how she manages in the job. She did that (against my advice). Apparently, that kind of arrangement is not unusual in Ukraine.

Now the time's come for a contract, she's been told that the employer is still working things out with her lawyer and that for the next couple of months it will be cash payments (as, apparently, she's having trouble opening a bank account!).

My guest doesn't see anything dodgy here, but I'm distinctly uncomfortable that someone is possibly taking advantage of her. She might even end up working for a month and not get any salary!

Given she's 25, though, is it even any business of mine?! If it is, what would you recommend I do?

 

[DEBS Ltd]

Since the war in Ukraine started, I've hosted a few Ukrainians, helped numerous others, found people jobs etc. It's mostly gone well. However, I've got one case here on which I'd like your advice.

The yong lady is 25, lives with me (I'm her sponsor). I assisted her with getting a bank account, getting a BRP, registering with GP and dentist, getting an NI number and a whole load of other stuff as is typical with all the Ukrainians I hosted. I also got her a job and she worked for 9 months in this large company, on PAYE, all fine. She was happy there. She went to work 5 days a week, socialised on other days, went on dates, did all the things kids do.

But an older Ukrainian lady, who happens to be settled here, was starting a competing business, offered my guest a job and enticed her to leave her original employer. The attraction was that my guest would be working in an environment with all Ukrainian speakers (there wasn't extra salary or anything). But she was told she'd have a proper contract, get paid officially etc. I was happy for her.

My guest accordingly left her job to start with the new employer last month. However, the new employer said that there would first be a period of volunteering to redecorate the premises before opening to the public. My guest "volunteered" over a couple of weeks (without any compensation of course). She was fine with it. After all, she was helping another Ukrainian, wasn't she?

Then the time came to open the business and my guest was told she needed to work for free for a few days to see how she manages in the job. She did that (against my advice). Apparently, that kind of arrangement is not unusual in Ukraine.

Now the time's come for a contract, she's been told that the employer is still working things out with her lawyer and that for the next couple of months it will be cash payments (as, apparently, she's having trouble opening a bank account!).

My guest doesn't see anything dodgy here, but I'm distinctly uncomfortable that someone is possibly taking advantage of her. She might even end up working for a month and not get any salary!

Given she's 25, though, is it even any business of mine?! If it is, what would you recommend I do?

On the face of it, it definitely appears they're being taken advantage of.

Knowing you, I'm sure you have, but have you checked they're even registered at Companies House and such like?

I would never do anything without a contract these days. I say that as someone who has been stung in the past, as recently as yesterday. However if they disappear in the night or she complains to someone, it's her word against theirs. Or they will plead ignorance or that they can't understand.

I think you're right to be concerned.

As an older guy though in his 40s, who has tried hard to help younger people before (that will be the ADD in me) , including females, it can be viewed in a certain way. You're an intelligent guy so I'm sure you're fully aware of this already, and I think that's what you were hinting at.

I'd try your best to point out your concerns here, and what would be normal practice. Then it's down to her, and there's little you can do beyond that.

 

[Clinton]

As an older guy though in his 40s, who has tried hard to help younger people before (that will be the ADD in me) , including females, it can be viewed in a certain way....and I think that's what you were hinting at

I'm a lot older than you and, yes, helping young ladies can be seen as dodgy / viewed suspiciously.

Fortunately, I don't give a sh*t what people think. Also, I've got enough history behind me now, and a dozen plus young Ukrainian ladies who'll certify that I'm a diamond geezer (this particular kid has lived with me for 9 months without problem!). So that's not an angle that I'm in any way concerned about.

The questions I'm grappling with are a) is this beyond my responsibilities as her host or even as a decent human being and b) if it's not beyond my responsibilities, what should I do in relation to the situation?

 

[KM-Tiger]

You are right to be concerned. There is a clear red flag in the goalposts having moved several times, and will likely move again.

But, as you say, this young woman is not a child, so all you can do is advise as best you can.

And you are right that our perception of what is right/acceptable is different to that of an east European person. So your advice may well fall on deaf ears.

 

[japancool]

Thing is, while it might not be unusual in Ukraine, it is a violation of UK law (to not pay at least minimum wage, at the minimum).

Have you met the older lady? What does your gut instinct tell you about her?

If she has got a bank account, how is she funding the redecoration?

 

[Clinton]

I've not met this business lady, no, and I don't even know if she's registered a company. I don't know how she's funding the redecoration but my guest seems to believe this business lady is well off and has good connections.

I thought it would be a bit too interfering to ask those details of my guest so haven't pried. I've given her my advice, yes, and she takes it like it's coming from her dad, but I haven't done more than give advice.

 

[japancool]

Perhaps it's a case of wait and see. It might all turn out for the best, but if it doesn't, you can help then.

The young lady might be uncomfortable approaching the authorities for help. I don't know, but I get the impression that the authorities in Ukraine might have been somewhat unreliable. If she feels that way, make sure she understands that she can get help from them here.

Of course, if this older lady is well-connected, she may not want to cause herself any issues when she returns there. I don't know how you could square that one, if it comes up.

Sorry, I'm conjecturing.

 

[The Byre]

This is not Ukraine and what may fly under the radar there is neither safe nor legal here. This so-called business woman will find herself being deported sooner or later and your guest may end up getting booted out with her! They are welcome guests here, but that does not mean that they can break the law because that is normal in Ukraine.

And just for the record - it is NOT normal or legal in Ukraine. They have a minimum wage law just as we do! Tell that silly girl to wake up!

Report tax fraud or avoidance to HMRC

Report tax fraud by a person or business to HMRC - tax evasion, VAT fraud, false, Child Benefit or tax credit fraud.

www.gov.uk

 

[Fagin2021]

It’s a tricky one, because everything might be above board or alternatively, the young lady might be being exploited. You might try something like this…

Tell the young lady to say to her new employer… “My sponsor has asked me when I’m going to get an employment contract. What should I tell him?” That way, she doesn’t have to ask the question directly and the employer knows that someone has her back.

 

[IanSuth]

Cash in hand says "no NI payments" i have a suspicion the next ply will be "if you are all from Ukraine and going back later then paying NI to the UK govt is pointless, let us all work like this and you can keep more of it" then the same with Tax (or tax and NI will be deducted and not passed on to HMRC)

I had similar happen to me when i was a broke student in 1992, in 1993 i started as a recruitment consultant and met the owner of the agency involved just after i had had a letter saying i had no NI contributions for the prior year - I told him in person I assumed it was an oversight which was lucky as I was just collating all my payslips to send in proving deductions and miraculously when i contacted the NI people the following week they had had a transfer of all of my unpaid contributions

 

[Clinton]

The young lady might be uncomfortable approaching the authorities for help. I don't know,

She wouldn't approach the authorities, no. But that's not a concern. If she runs into any trouble, or she needed help at any point, she'd come straight to me (and I could notify the appropriate authorities of course). But I'd like to avoid a problem happening in the first place.

This so-called business woman will find herself being deported sooner or later and your guest may end up getting booted out with her!

This business lady is settled in the UK ie she may have a British passport or at least residency (ILR). But I don't know if that changes anything.

Cash in hand says "no NI payments" i have a suspicion the next ply will be "if you are all from Ukraine and going back later then paying NI to the UK govt is pointless, let us all work like this and you can keep more of it"!

That may very well be the angle! It's a valid argument for pensions and I've advised my guests to opt out of auto-enrollment deductions. But dodging income tax and NI is something different!

My concern is only that this guest doesn't get ripped off and doesn't get into trouble. Also, if she's accepting cash for two months then she's obliged to tell the Universal Credit people about it and not take UC.

It would be convenient if there's some government department I could contact, give them the business details, and just leave it with them to have a cursory look to see if everything is kosher. Is that even possible?

 

[japancool]

My concern is only that this guest doesn't get ripped off and doesn't get into trouble. It would be convenient if there's some government department I could contact, give them the business details, and just leave it with them to just have a cursory check to see if everything is kosher. Is that even possible?

Would the local council help?

 

[The Byre]

Would the local council help?

HMRC - I posted the link above.

 

[IanSuth]

She wouldn't approach the authorities, no. But that's not a concern. If she runs into any trouble, or she needed help at any point, she'd come straight to me (and I could notify the appropriate authorities of course). But I'd like to avoid a problem happening in the first place.


This business lady is settled in the UK ie she may have a British passport or at least residency (ILR). But I don't know if that changes anything.

That may very well be the angle! It's a valid argument for pensions and I've advised my guests to opt out of auto-enrollment deductions. But dodging income tax and NI is something different!

My concern is only that this guest doesn't get ripped off and doesn't get into trouble. Also, if she's accepting cash for two months then she's obliged to tell the Universal Credit people about it and not take UC.

It would be convenient if there's some government department I could contact, give them the business details, and just leave it with them to have a cursory look to see if everything is kosher. Is that even possible?

Also if she EVER wants permanent residency in uk or might in the future she needs to ensure she doesnt get on the wrong side of the law even inadvertently as benefit fraud is one of the big red flags when you apply for naturalisation etc

If there is no company number then there is no central record for anyone to check - that number should be on every company email etc

 

[Newchodge]

You are very right to be concerned - she has already been exploited and lied to - changing goalposts is a big red flag.

Whether you should do anything about it - definitely you should discuss with her the idea of modern slavery and exploitation of the vulnerable, while pointing out all the things that are wrong under UK law (on the grounds that she will have little knowledge of UK law). You should also discuss with her whether she may feel safer asking if she could return to her original job. And clearly express your very real concerns at the situation.

What you can't do is make her decisions for her or take any action that she hasn't authorised. Also, how is she expecting to survive without any income? My advice would be not to allow her to expect that you will automatically make up the shortfall (even if you might) as she needs to understand the consequences of her decisions.

 

[Newchodge]

It would be convenient if there's some government department I could contact, give them the business details, and just leave it with them to have a cursory look to see if everything is kosher. Is that even possible?

Johnson announced that he was going to do something about that. He didn't. There is someone who wrote in the Guardian a few days ago about her role and the need for an overarching employee support framework. Unfortunately I cannot now remember her name or her title. (I must be getting older).

 

[The Byre]

My guest accordingly left her job to start with the new employer last month. However, the new employer said that there would first be a period of volunteering to redecorate the premises before opening to the public. My guest "volunteered" over a couple of weeks (without any compensation of course). She was fine with it. After all, she was helping another Ukrainian, wasn't she?

All of which is illegal under Ukrainian law. The monthly minimum wage in Ukraine was 6.7 thousand Ukrainian hryvnia as of October 1, 2022 for a full-time job.

Also, working in an all-Ukrainian environment is not going to help her integrate and develop her English skills.

Also if she EVER wants permanent residency in uk or might in the future she needs to ensure she doesnt get on the wrong side of the law even inadvertently as benefit fraud is one of the big red flags when you apply for naturalisation etc

Spell that out for the silly girl and she might just see sense!

 

[Clinton]

You are very right to be concerned - she has already been exploited and lied to - changing goalposts is a big red flag.

Whether you should do anything about it - definitely you should discuss with her the idea of modern slavery and exploitation of the vulnerable, while pointing out all the things that are wrong under UK law (on the grounds that she will have little knowledge of UK law). You should also discuss with her whether she may feel safer asking if she could return to her original job. And clearly express your very real concerns at the situation.

What you can't do is make her decisions for her or take any action that she hasn't authorised. Also, how is she expecting to survive without any income? My advice would be not to allow her to expect that you will automatically make up the shortfall (even if you might) as she needs to understand the consequences of her decisions.

Thanks for your expert opinion. Yes, I've discussed with her and explained how things work here and what the law says (also about breaks - apparently, they don't get breaks in this job!) I suppose I just have to sit back now and see how things play out.

Fortunately, the original job is waiting for her if she ever decides to return, they were very happy with her work. And if she's ever between jobs she'll get Universal Credit so I don't need to fund anything. Also, she has a bit saved up after doing a full time job for 9+ months. But don't ask me how these Ukrainian ladies manage to save given the fortune they spend on eyelashes, nail salon appointments and the like!

Just for the record, @The Byre and @IanSuth, Permanent Residency is not an option for Ukrainian refugees. They have a 3 year visa with no route to residency (unlike with other refugee programmes).

 

[The Byre]

Just for the record, @The Byre and @IanSuth, Permanent Residency is not an option for Ukrainian refugees. They have a 3 year visa with no route to residency (unlike with other refugee programmes).

That is true - but will probably change as the UK is desperate for motivated workers and Ukrainians are particularly welcome here - so a future government would find extending their residencies politically acceptable.

She also may marry a Brit or give birth to a child here who would then be a UK citizen (I assume). Any one of a thousand things may happen. By the time her three years is up, the UK may be in a customs and freedom of movement area for the EU and with Ukraine in the same union as a preliminary to becoming a member.

She burns her bridges at her peril!

 

[IanSuth]

Just for the record, @The Byre and @IanSuth, Permanent Residency is not an option for Ukrainian refugees. They have a 3 year visa with no route to residency (unlike with other refugee programmes).

i knew that, i meant if in the future she ever tried to get residency through any other standard route

It even affects getting a spousal visa if she married someone here/with a right to live here

 

[Clinton]

... or give birth to a child here who would then be a UK citizen (I assume).

No, we don't have jus soli in the UK.

But I accept the points both of you make in relation to alternative routes to citizenship.

 

[Newchodge]

marry a Brit or give birth to a child here who would then be a UK citizen (I assume).

Only if 'or' (4th word) were 'and'

 

[The Byre]

No, we don't have jus soli in the UK.

Only if 'or' (4th word) were 'and'

I know - it's a frightful mess everywhere - not just in the UK. I was born here (waaay back when) so I am British. My parents were German, so I am German. Now it's a horrible mixture of silly rules everywhere that hardly anyone understands!

I's a good job it wasn't in 1939 or I'd have had to annex the bathroom, invade myself, denounce my grandmother and fight myself on the beaches, the fields and the streets. I'd have looked a right mess!

 

[japancool]

I know - it's a frightful mess everywhere - not just in the UK. I was born here (waaay back when) so I am British. My parents were German, so I am German. Now it's a horrible mixture of silly rules everywhere that hardly anyone understands!

I's a good job it wasn't in 1939 or I'd have had to annex the bathroom, invade myself, denounce my grandmother and fight myself on the beaches, the fields and the streets. I'd have looked a right mess!

But did you vote to divorce yourself?

 

[Newchodge]

I know - it's a frightful mess everywhere - not just in the UK. I was born here (waaay back when) so I am British. My parents were German, so I am German. Now it's a horrible mixture of silly rules everywhere that hardly anyone understands!

I's a good job it wasn't in 1939 or I'd have had to annex the bathroom, invade myself, denounce my grandmother and fight myself on the beaches, the fields and the streets. I'd have looked a right mess!

It changed from 1 January 1983. Prior to that date any child born in the UK was a UK citizen. From 01/01/1983 any child born in the UK to a parent who, at the time of child's birth, had a right to a UK passport, has a right to a UK passport. Although marital status of parents came into it for some time afterwards

 

[IanSuth]

It changed from 1 January 1983. Prior to that date any child born in the UK was a UK citizen. From 01/01/1983 any child born in the UK to a parent who, at the time of child's birth, had a right to a UK passport, has a right to a UK passport. Although marital status of parents came into it for some time afterwards

Mate was born in 1964 in Northern Rhodesia on a farmstead , parents moved in a hurry to New Zealand when he was 2mths old - he lived there until he was 19 including a stint in the NZ Fire Service, he then joined the British army and served for many years (I met him when he was at Arborfield nr reading through motorcycles whilst he was doing a REME course on Rapiers. Whilst based at Padderborn he met a German and married her and they moved back to England where he was eventually given a medical discharge after many many years due to knee damage (was forced to do a PT / route march exercise day after injections for gulf war when all his joints were inflamed and it caused permanent damage)

That was when the problems started - as he had moved around with the army he had regular non uk residences (usually in Germany), he was never a NZ citizen as they didnt care re Rhodesians, no way of proving his birth as no birth certificate existed ever. He was given the option of Zambian or I think Mozambiqian citizenship !!

He is actually only legally in the UK as the husband of a German citizen with settled status and his son (now 21 in a few weeks)who was born in the uk is German

 

[MBE2017]

Personally I think all you can do is explain your concerns, explain there are minimum salaries, and most importantly never work for free for more than an hour or so, not a month or two.

A friend from the past called myself regarding he had not been paid by a mate, no salary, third time it had happened. I suggested he quit and find someone who paid for his work, he held on due to his friends promises, ended up being owed ten weeks money.

Anyone reading this, an employer is only not paying you if they have huge problems, it’s much easier and a lot less hassle to not pay the bank, suppliers etc. workers can walk out instantly.

 

[japancool]

That was when the problems started - as he had moved around with the army he had regular non uk residences (usually in Germany), he was never a NZ citizen as they didnt care re Rhodesians, no way of proving his birth as no birth certificate existed ever. He was given the option of Zambian or I think Mozambiqian citizenship !!

As a former member of the armed forces, isn't he entitled to claim British citizenship on that basis?

I mean, if the guy was willing to fight and die for the country, you'd think the least they could do is give him citizenship.

"He did his bit!"

 

[Newchodge]

As a former member of the armed forces, isn't he entitled to claim British citizenship on that basis?

I mean, if the guy was willing to fight and die for the country, you'd think the least they could do is give him citizenship.

"He did his bit!"

I am fairly sure that is not one of the criteria!

 

[japancool]

I am fairly sure that is not one of the criteria!

Apparently, it is if you've left in the last 2 years.

Indefinite leave to remain (armed forces)

Indefinite leave to remain if you've left the armed forces - fees, who's eligible, how to apply.

www.gov.uk

Unless you're a Gurkha, because, you know, Joanna Lumley.

 

[IanSuth]

As a former member of the armed forces, isn't he entitled to claim British citizenship on that basis?

I mean, if the guy was willing to fight and die for the country, you'd think the least they could do is give him citizenship.

"He did his bit!"

no apparently because he didnt know initially he had to apply within a set timescale of discharge and that he wasnt already (seems mad but until he tried to do some paperwork it never occurred to him he wasnt a citizen). Also the bits based abroad mean you can sometimes never reach the required period of continous time in the country (or more importantly be able to prove it). Even to apply is over £2k. As initially being married to a German it was irrelevant (married to a uk citizen) it wasnt a priority until Brexit

Also the interweb is full of stories of ex Fijian / British army vets told they cant have NHS treatment and the like as "not a proper citizen"

 

[japancool]

no apparently because he didnt know initially he had to apply within a set timescale of discharge and that he wasnt already (seems mad but until he tried to do some paperwork it never occurred to him he wasnt a citizen). Also the bits based abroad mean you can sometimes never reach the required period of continous time in the country (or more importantly be able to prove it). Even to apply is over £2k. As initially being married to a German it was irrelevant (married to a uk citizen) it wasnt a priority until Brexit

Also the interweb is full of stories of ex Fijian / British army vets told they cant have NHS treatment and the like as "not a proper citizen"

That's really pathetic (this country, I mean, not your friend).

 

[The Byre]

He is actually only legally in the UK as the husband of a German citizen with settled status and his son (now 21 in a few weeks)who was born in the uk is German

He can apply for German citizenship - but that would entail his having to pass a citizenship test (in German). But that gives him the right to live and work in all EEA, EFTA and EU countries, plus Switzerland. He would also enjoy special rights to travel around the US and other countries.

He also would get the right to make rude remarks about the English and their damp, cold houses and their lack of work ethic. This is a right that Germans living in the UK enjoy to the full. For example, my wife yesterday emptied a trailer filled with about two tons of firewood in about one hour. I praised her speed and energy and she merely replied "Ich bin Deutscher, was hast du erwartet?"

Of course, it does mean that he would have to put all his clocks forward by an hour, start work at seven and annex the neighbour's allotment by putting a towel on it. Allemand obligé.

But did you vote to divorce yourself?

Twice - but I kept coming back!

 

[Clinton]

Sorry, I seem to have missed some bits in a few of the above posts.

Also, working in an all-Ukrainian environment is not going to help her integrate and develop her English skills.

She already speaks fluent English, as with most younger Ukrainians, and the job itself involves dealing with the public so there's a fair bit of integration. Also, she's now got some English girlfriends, colleagues from her previous job, with whom she hangs out.

Would the local council help?

Don't get me started on these pratts!

I've dealt with more than half a dozen district, borough and country councils on behalf of Ukrainian refugees - they are a bunch of useless, incompetent jackasses!. Guests are entitled to £200 in "subsistence payment" the moment they arrive. This is payable by the council. It took me 30 hours of work - emails, phone calls, visits to the council - to get that money for my first guests from my local council.

That's less than freaking minimum wage.

Councils are designed to work such that unless you value your time at close to £0 an hour, you can never achieve anything with them.

The last guest I had come over was a lady with two boys. She arrived on December 15th and I had a self-contained flat pre-arranged for her in Romford. Havering council still haven't arranged school places for the kids two MONTHS later! (And they're still arguing about her giving the 50% discount on council tax to which she's entitled).

Anyway, that's my rant for the day.

 

[japancool]

Don't get me started on these pratts!

Too late.

 

[IanSuth]

He can apply for German citizenship - but that would entail his having to pass a citizenship test (in German). But that gives him the right to live and work in all EEA, EFTA and EU countries, plus Switzerland. He would also enjoy special rights to travel around the US and other countries.

He also would get the right to make rude remarks about the English and their damp, cold houses and their lack of work ethic. This is a right that Germans living in the UK enjoy to the full. For example, my wife yesterday emptied a trailer filled with about two tons of firewood in about one hour. I praised her speed and energy and she merely replied "Ich bin Deutscher, was hast du erwartet?"

Of course, it does mean that he would have to put all his clocks forward by an hour, start work at seven and annex the neighbour's allotment by putting a towel on it. Allemand obligé.



Twice - but I kept coming back!

He has been taking German lessons to facilitate this in case needed

The German health service is the onlt reason he got his medical discharge - the Army conveniently lost his notes, but the local German health centre had got a copy from when he saw them and so they could fill in the blanks. The Army then lost them again (twice) during the drawn out saga of them trying to persuade him to take redundancy/buy himself out rather than be medically discharged with a pension

It was only after getting it all sorted that his British Legion lawyer who was also supporting a Fijian Vet pointed out if he had taken the Army at their initial word and bought himself out, he would have had no recourse to the NHS for a lot of his needs

 

[Financial-Modeller]

Your efforts to date are laudable @Clinton , but there has to be a point where your responsibility ends and a 25-yr old person who has escaped a war zone and travelled several thousand miles to settle in a different country is allowed to make their own mistakes.

I suggest you reiterate the potential outcomes from the legitimate job versus the expoitative one in terms of integration into the UK, entitlement to any help from the state, appearance from the perspective of the bureaucrats etc and leave her to make an informed choice.

Whilst obviously acting correctly to avoid potential problems is preferable, you will be there to pick up the pieces in due course if necessary.

 

[The Byre]

He has been taking German lessons to facilitate this in case needed

Some of the questions are hilarious and one can read them all online - for those who are too stupid to know what sort of answers the powers that be expect -

When can a man hit his wife?

• when she talks back.
• in self-defense.
• on weekends.
• when she insults the Ayatollah.
• when she forgets to take the bins out.
• when she supports Kaiserslauten.
• never.

The real questions are here - https://www.einbuergerungstest-online.de/ (I tried it and got 27 out of 33 on the extremely difficult questions. The Light, Medium & Difficult ones are too easy!) The ones titled Prüfung simulate the actual test and are easy.

The German health service is the onlt reason he got his medical discharge - the Army conveniently lost his notes, but the local German health centre had got a copy from when he saw them and so they could fill in the blanks. The Army then lost them again (twice) during the drawn out saga of them trying to persuade him to take redundancy/buy himself out rather than be medically discharged with a pension.

Nothing there surprises me! When I was in the Paras, the army didn't even discover that one of my fellow recruits was actually AWOL from The Scots Guards! He was trying to get away from his misses!

Record-keeping was just pencil notes on loose cards. Everything was remarkably sloppy!

German bureaucracy is the opposite. I phoned up the Bundesverwaltungsamt (Ministry for Administrative Affairs) about a letter that they had sent my mother in the 70s and they still had a copy of that letter!

 

[japancool]

Some of the questions are hilarious and one can read them all online - for those who are too stupid to know what sort of answers the powers that be expect -

The British version isn't much better.

And some of the history questions on the test are actually wrong. "Who conducted the last successful invasion of England - Normans, Spanish, Germans or Russians?"

Obviously the answer they want is Normans. Hello, William and Mary anyone?

I took that stupid test for real many years ago. You'd essentially have to be wandering around the country in a daze not to know the answers. Then again, if you fail it, you probably don't deserve to be here!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

As Clinton is a high value individual I am sure that some of this will quickly rub off onto his Ukrainian friends. Then they be will of a calibre not requiring them to work with people that cant get bank accounts