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Changes are coming to the island's population regime to help ease the pressure on restaurants and hotels struggling to find employees.
Home Affairs has announced changes to the Immigration Work Permit Policy which will make it easier for the hospitality industry to employ staff from outside the EU.
New plans include the addition of a short-term work permit, up to a maximum period of nine months, which will be open to the majority of jobs in the industry, including waiting staff, bar staff and house keeping. The fee for changing current work permits is also being reduced.
Deputy Mary Lowe, President of Home Affairs, said it was hoped the changes, along with a more streamlined application process, will have a positive impact on the industry’s recruitment and retention levels.
"Updating the Work Permit Policy after listening to industry concerns may place it in a better position to deal with the recruitment challenges they now face. Adapting the policy is something we are pleased to do in order to help our local economy thrive. We will always listen to concerns and act where we can to address them.”
Mike Hopkins, the Director of Marketing and Tourism, added: "Over the past few years the recruitment and retention of staff has been one of the major challenges facing the Tourism and Hospitality industry. The Committee’s proposed changes to help address these challenges is excellent news, and I would like to thank Home Affairs for their cooperation and efforts in support of the Tourism and Hospitality industry.”
The new Work Permit Policy can be found at gov.gg/immigration.
Pictured: La Piette Hotel has previously needed to advertise for staff.
La Piette Hotel along the St Peter Port seafront is one hotel in Guernsey which has struggled to find staff this year. The Saints Bay Hotel and Sarnia Hotels, which owns Moores, Hotel de Havelet and Les Rocquettes, have also told Express of their struggles to recruit in the past.
A number of retailers have had similar problems with Warehouse among those affected, with signs up again last weekend saying it was closed.
Pictured top: Deputy Mary Lowe.
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