UK immigration changes could impact local recruitment – CGi

Both parties have said that if they form a government they will look to cap legal immigration into the country.

Proposed measures are likely to include banning UK employers from recruiting overseas, increasing visa fees and removing the ability of staff to bring dependants with them.

While the island has different immigration laws to the UK, the CGi said that it was closely linked to the UK’s.

‘It is well-documented that the island needs more workers, both skilled and unskilled, to fill essential roles, so the news from the UK is of great concern as it could further reduce the pool of labour available to local firms,’ said a spokesman.

The CGi said it understood the challenges being faced by Home Affairs and Population Management in supporting local industry, plus Brexit, the Common Travel Area and the limitations of the law.

‘The population management team is working hard to engage with CGi members and other companies regarding the recruitment and retention of key staff, so we will be bringing this latest issue to our forthcoming meeting with Home Affairs in July.’

Local recruitment firms said that their clients were already conscious of the problems in obtaining work permits for non-locals, and some have taken steps to avoid having to bring in staff altogether.

AP Group CEO Gina Le Prevost said that UK nationals were still able to be considered for essential jobs in the island.

‘However our clients are always still conscious of the difficulties in obtaining work permits for candidates, dependent upon their experience and also the lack of accommodation so desperately needed on the island at the moment to be able to house new employees coming in from either UK or Commonwealth countries.’

Many overseas staff had relocated to the island direct from outside the UK once they have a permit to live and work locally.

‘Some companies are now offering new staff the opportunity to work remotely for their company based in their same country.’

She said this was happening in other countries, too.

‘It does help businesses to not have the additional costs of relocating staff to Guernsey and the stress of whether they will be granted a right to work for the new employee.’

Situations Recruitment managing director Melissa Campbell had also experienced changes with local firms’ recruitment practices.

‘We have found in the last couple of years that Guernsey businesses are providing fewer employment permits for overseas candidates.’

If Guernsey implemented any changes as a result of the UK amending its immigration laws, that could have a significant impact on the island’s economy, particularly in terms of staffing, said Leapfrog Recruitment’s Vicki Eppelein.

‘Local companies recruit from both the UK and overseas, whether through candidates actively seeking vacancies in the Bailiwick or companies sourcing off-island.

‘Any reduction in immigration locally could impact their ability to fill roles effectively.’

Immigration should be based on need, she said, and the island had a need for certain vocations.

‘To make it more difficult or more expensive to companies is only going to impact the island negatively.’

The Home Affairs Committee declined to comment.