According to the independent advisers to the Government, immigration laws that prohibit hiring foreign employees to fill labor shortages in the UK should be removed. An assessment found that the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), a vital resource for employers looking to acquire foreign workers in industries with acute personnel shortages, increases the risk of exploitation.
Business lobby groups have previously urged the Government to increase the number of occupations on the list to assist businesses that may have difficulty finding qualified employees after Brexit. However, according to an analysis by the Migration Advisory Committee, low-wage immigrants were more likely to result in a net cost to Britain. The program’s high administrative costs rendered it unprofitable for many enterprises.
In a letter to Government ministers, it wrote, “These concerns mean that we are not confident that the SOL provides a realistic immigration solution to shortage challenges in low-wage sectors, and consequently, our preference is for the Government to remove it.
According to the advisors, a “more sustainable response to the problems” would be to investigate certain industries or occupations that are experiencing severe labor shortages in the future.
The committee did provide eight recommendations for the UK-wide list for 2023, including care providers, laboratory technicians, bricklayers, roofers, and animal care services. It suggested that Scotland include boat and shipbuilders, forestry, and fishery managers.
Additional Read: The Departure of More than 500,000 Workers Put the UK Economy in Danger.
Six positions, including racing groom, stallion handler, stud groom, stud hand, stud handler, and work rider, were suggested for the list by the horse breeding and racing sectors. However, no positions in agriculture or horticulture were mentioned, which is a setback for those industries where farmers claim crops have gone unharvested because it has been difficult to recruit workers from Europe due to Brexit.
The National Farmers’ Union had requested in May that eight agricultural positions be considered for inclusion on the list, including machine field/harvest operator, dairy technician, egg grader, and poultry barn cleaner.
According to the manufacturing lobby organization UK welders, being left off the despite growing evidence of ‘critical shortages'” was “frustrating.” For those jobs on the list, firms can ( hire foreign workers at 80% of the “going rate” in Britain, and by being on the list, employers can avoid the standard minimum pay needed for a skilled worker visa, which is £26,200.
The evaluation concluded that no company should be permitted to pay less than the market rate to protect local workers from being undercut and lessen the exploitation of immigrants. According to a Home Office spokeswoman, the Home Secretary Suella Braverman had been informed of the report’s findings, and she will be given time to review and reply with an official statement.
In conclusion, the UK government needs to address the issue of worker shortages in the country. One way to do this is by scraping the current visa rules that are flawed and create barriers for workers to enter the country. By doing so, the Government can attract more skilled workers and fill the gaps in the workforce, which will ultimately benefit the economy.
We at Dynamic Staffing Services play an important role in addressing the worker shortages in the UK. By connecting employers with skilled workers, we can help fill the gaps in the workforce and ensure businesses can continue to operate effectively. However, to truly address the issue of worker shortages, the UK government needs to act.
Additionally, the Government should also focus on protecting the rights of workers, ensuring that employers do not exploit them. Only by taking these steps can the UK hope to address the current labor shortages and provide a better working environment for all.
Call us at +44-7477196844 or email enquiry@dss-hr.co.uk to learn more about our services and how we can help you.
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