‘Time to scrap population law’

Clive McMinn said the group has been against the legislation from the outset, warning that key parts of the economy were being impacted negatively.

‘It’s not necessary,’ said the chairman of the group, which represents businesses in the industrial sector.

He said there were other methods that could work better.

‘If we have work permits, they have to come to a job. But then we don’t restrict them once they’re here. I think the population will find its own level. A growing economy means we need more people.

‘Essential worker [status] should not just apply to those with high-profile jobs,’ added Mr McMinn.

‘If it is hard work, it is essential. Restaurants are closing, staff in the service industry are hard to get and retain.’

The idea that Guernsey’s population would increase by too much without the law was also a scare story.

‘There’s not a queue of people waiting to come, Guernsey’s not a naturally attractive place for all sorts of reasons.’

Mr McMinn said Brexit uncertainties and the weakening pound meant Guernsey was no longer as appealing to European staff who send wages home to families.

‘People are not coming because there are jobs available in Europe.

‘They used to be able to come and go fairly easily, spending nine months here and then going back for three, but now they are restricted,’ said Mr McMinn.

There have, however, been instances when restrictions were altered to help businesses.

Davina Mansell ,HR manager of Sarnia Hotels, which consists of Moores Hotel, Hotel de Havelet and Les Rocquettes Hotel, said some staff permits had been extended from five to seven years to help the group maintain staff numbers.

‘We’ve been lucky that staff have stayed for the seven year period available to them,’ she said.

‘I’ve found [the system] really helpful, I love the online system, we have not had any issues so far and we’ve found that we can approach them,’ she said of working with the population management law system.

Staffing shortages have meant Sarnia Hotels have needed to make changes.

Recently, Les Rocquettes stopped serving its a la carte menu and Moore’s is due to follow suit.

‘It is still important that we give the best service we can and what we do offer we can do to a high standard,’ she said.

However, the issue was not with the law, but with finding staff who wanted to live on island.

Background to the law

The law came into force in April 2017 and restricts the amount of time overseas employees can work in the island.

Currently, all individuals over 16 who live or work in Guernsey are required to hold a certificate or permit stating they can.

Qualifying reasons for a permit include strong connections to a person living in Guernsey or being invited to work because of an essential skill or qualification that Guernsey lacks.

Through this the States influences the size and make-up of the population to meet island long-term needs.

A range of policies support the law and set out, often by looking at employment skills and experience, who can live and work on island.

Short-term permits are given to those invited to work in Guernsey because of a manpower shortage, valid for up to one year.

Medium-term permits, valid for up to five years, are issued because the person has skills or qualifications not found locally or because demand for those skills is greater than local supply.

Valid for up to eight years, long-term employment permits are for those with skills or qualifications not found locally and that are in short supply elsewhere.

A Strategic Population Review panel undertook a review of the population management law recently to make sure it was fulfilling its objectives.

The panel was established by Policy & Resources, working with Home Affairs.

Recommendations from the review have now been submitted for consideration by the committees and a policy letter will be submitted for quarter three of 2019.

Comment from P&R on this work is forthcoming.