EMPLOYING FOREIGN LABOUR
| Published date | 01 January 1981 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb057171 |
| Date | 01 January 1981 |
| Pages | 34-35 |
| Subject Matter | Economics,Information & knowledge management,Management science & operations |
Institute
News
Institute of Factory Management
EMPLOYING FOREIGN LABOUR
DESPITE unemployment among British nationals, there
may be occasion for I.F.M. members to seek foreign emp-
loyees with specialist skills. In such cases, the question of a
work permit arises. The regualtions are as follows:
Except as provided in the immigration rules any person,
other than EEC nationals, subject to immigration control
coming to work in the UK is required to have a work
permit. Permits are issued for employment in Great Britain
by the Department of Employment.
Arrangements described in subsequent paragraphs are
those that apply in Great Britain. The same conditions
apply in Northern Ireland, but references to the Depart-
ment of Employment and the MSC should be read as
references to the Department of Manpower Services, and
references to PER to PEP- Professional and Executive
Personnel.
The prospective employer must apply to the Department
of Employment for a work permit for a named overseas
worker und for a specific job. The permit will be issued for
an initial period not exceeding 12 months. Only workers
aged between 23 and 54 are eligible for permits A permit
will not be issued if, in the opinion of the Overseas Labour
Section of the MSC suitable resident labour is available to
fill the post offered, nor if the wages or other conditions of
employment offered are less favourable than those obtain-
ing in the area for similar work.
With the exceptions referred to later, permits will be
available only for workers in the following categories who
can satisfy the Department that they possess the necessary
qualifications and experience which should normally have
been acquired outside the UK a) those holding recognised
professional qualifications; b) administrative and executive
staff;
c) highly-qualified technicians having specalised
experience; d) other key workers with a high or scarce
qualification in an industry or occupation requiring specific
expert knowledge or skills. The worker will also be
expected to have an adequate command of the English
language.
In general, an application for a work permit will be
considered only if the vacancy is in an occupation serviced
by PER and which necessarily requires a worker having the
qualifications referred to above. When applying for the
permit the prospective employer must satisfy the Depart-
ment of Employment that a genuine vacancy exists, that no
suitable resident labour is available and that he or she has
made adequate efforts to find a worker from that source
and from the EEC. Employers are expected to notify the
vacancy to the enarest PER office, jobcentre or employ-
ment exchange and allow four weeks for a suitable worker
to be found. They are also expected to advertise the vac-
ancy and to pay the travelling expenses of any worker
resident in this country who comes from a distance for
pre-arranged interview or to take up employment.
Working permits are available for highly-skilled and
experienced workers for senior posts in hotel and catering
establishments who have successfully completed appropri-
ate full-time training courses of at least two years' duration
at approved schools abroad or, exceptionally, have
acquired other specialised or uncommon skills and experi-
ence relevant to the industry.
Permits are available for entertainers and sportsmen,
who meet the appropriate skills criteria (the lower age limit
referred to above does not apply to these permits). Profes-
sional sportsmen taking part in competitions of standing do
not normally require permits.
A permit may be issued to any person if in the opinion of
the Employ ment Secretary his or her employment is in the
national interest.
Permits may be issued for on-the-job training or work
experience with employers which can be put to use in the
trainee's home country but not acquired there. This
arrangement is primarily intended to benefit developing
34 INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT + DATA SYSTEMS
To continue reading
Request your trial