Committee proposes to scrap work permits
ALDERNEY'S Policy and Finance Committee has voted in favour of withdrawing a law that requires non-residents to obtain a work permit prior to employment on the island.
There were only six people in Alderney registered as unemployed in June and States members argued that permits as they currently exist are no longer necessary.
Under the work permit scheme, jobs must first be advertised on- island and prospective employees must fill out a form which is sent to an agency which undertakes a police check.
The form is then sent to the prospective employee and he or she cannot take up employment until the form is returned.
After receiving a report from the chief executive's office, the Policy and Finance Committee voted to suspend the Employment Permit Legislation by ordinance – a change in the law which must first go before the States.
The issue split the committee, with Chris Rowley, Francis Simonet, Louis Jean and Ian Tugby voting against removal of the permit scheme. The treasurer advised that removal of the system could result in an increase in benefit claims.
