Work experience rule relaxed for incomers
REQUIREMENTS to have two years of relevant work experience for staff coming to the island have been relaxed with immediate effect, following concerns raised by the Confederation of Guernsey Industry.
Home Affairs has announced that instead staff must demonstrate that they have been in continuous employment for the last two years immediately previous to applying for the short-term employment permit.
Last month, industry representative group CGi requested an urgent meeting with Home Affairs to discuss concerns about the island’s population laws and its sector’s struggle to retain staff on short-term permits.
Home Affairs president Rob Prow agreed and said at the time that the committee was already looking at adapting the policy whereby staff arriving to the island must prove they have two years’ relevant experience in the role they are arriving for.
‘The committee considered that this relaxation was justified and proportionate, noting that the requirement for overseas police checks and adverse immigration history checks remain,’ he said.
‘Considering the other mitigation in place, the committee is of the view that the simplified experience will further assist businesses who are struggling to recruit staff, while appropriately balancing Guernsey’s responsibility as a Common Travel Area member, by ensuring that those who come to our island are doing so to be productive members of society and do not pose a risk to the security of the Bailiwick.’
The committee received representations from industry and in reviewing the ‘relevant experience’ requirement, accepted that demonstrating relevant experience for some roles can be difficult and arguably somewhat arbitrary.
It also acknowledged that it was in the interests of Guernsey employers to only recruit individuals who can evidence a good work ethic and character, particularly given the investment on the part of the employer to recruit individuals from the rest of the world.
‘Our committee has always said that we listen to industry and do whatever we can to help them secure the staff they need. This change is the latest example of that commitment,’ said Deputy Prow.
There remains the requirement that some roles, such as those in health care, do need to hold specific qualifications, however this policy will be reviewed no later than at the end of Q2 next year.
