Fears are growing around the world concerning the competition for scarce jobs.

And, according to a recent poll, most people in major European countries and the US believe unemployed immigrants should be asked to leave.

The FT/Harris poll was published by the Financial Times on Monday. 65-hundred adults answered questions online.

The poll shows more than three-quarters of Italians and Britons and a majority in France, Germany, Spain and the US would support their government asking jobless immigrants to leave.

Unemployment rates in Europe and the US have begun to rise sharply in response to the global financial crisis.

Spain's jobless rate is more than 14 percent, while Germany and France have rates of over 7 and 8 percent respectively.

Estimates suggest that the UK could have 3.2 million jobless people, or over 10 percent of the workforce, by the second half of 2010.

Graphics:

FT/Harris Poll

3/4 Britons and Italians want jobless immigrants to leave

Unemployment Rate

Spain: over 14%

Germany: over 7%

France:over 8%

More than 10% of UK workforce

could be unemployed by the 2nd half of 2010

(CCTV March 18, 2009)