Research on Jersey's migration policy published
A government report into migration in Jersey has been published.
The Interim Migration policy report examines how the government can manage migration on the island.
The research highlights factors including current laws around work and housing, the impact of migration on public services and how the current skills gap could influence future policy ideas.
The report says that there is a 'complicated and confusing' approach to migration as there are different rules for different areas of government and that controlling access to employment and housing would still be the primary means to control migration to the island.
It proposes potential models for a future work permissions but stresses that these are examples and not firm proposals.
Instead, they are designed as a 'starting point to stimulate conversation' on the issue.
W
'W' refers to staff brought in to fill temporary labour shortages, usually in low-skilled poisitions. Workers would have permission to work for nine months in any 12 and would be able to reapply after three months away.
Accommodation would be confined to staff accommodation, purpose-built hostels or lodging houses and staff would be unable to bring their families to the island.
Staff would also pay a surcharge each time they arrived in Jersey to fund access to hospital and health services.
X
'X' classification is applicable to medium-level skills shortages and would last four years, with applicants able to reapply after a year away.
Workers would be able to bring their partners to Jersey along with children who are individually registered - all of whom would be subject to a surcharge for health services during the first year.
'X' classified workers would be able to buy or rent any property on the island.
Y
The 'Y' classification would apply to shortages in high-income and critical-skilled areas. Again, workers would be able to take employment for four years after which they would have the option of moving to classification 'Z'.
Like X classified workers, they would be unrestricted on which properties they were able to buy and rent and their spouse would be able to live and work in Jersey along with registered children.
There would be less of these permissions granted, but they would 'put the most pressure on long-term resource', according to the report.
Z
'Z' status would be acquired following existing 'X' or 'Y' status to islanders who have 'demonstrated significant commitment to the island'.
These workers would then have full access to health services and their partner and children could come and live with them on the island.
They would be unrestricted as to which properties they can buy or rent, but this status could be lost if they had a prolonged absence from Jersey.