Rose, who is now chairman of online grocer Ocado, yesterday criticised people who complain immigrants are taking too many British jobs.
He said it was not the fault of immigrants if they are prepared to "work hard" for "less money" than British people would like.
He told Sky News: "I'm a free market economist, we operate in a free market. If these people want to come here, and work the hours they are prepared to work for the wages they are prepared to work for, then so be it.
"It's up to people to decide what they want to do. I think there are a lot of people who complain about their lot. Life is tough for everybody at times.
Rose's comments comes just before the UK is set to relax restrictions that currently limit the work Bulgarians and Romanians can undertake.
Under rules introduced when both countries joined the EU in 2007, Bulgarian and Romanian migrants can only work in the UK in seasonal jobs, such as fruit picking, or if they are self-employed. These restrictions end on 1 January 2014.
Rose added: "I know people will look at me and say 'It's all right for you', but I started off with pretty well nothing, I did a lot of menial jobs when I was young. I didn't worry about the status of the job - I was more worried about my self-esteem and the fact I had a job. In fact I would look myself in the mirror and say, 'I've earned a few bob'."
