Select a region
The Confederation of Guernsey Industry has called for a meeting with the President of Home Affairs, arguing that the island’s population management law is damaging local business.
In response, Deputy Rob Prow has said he is disappointed in the CGi’s approach of raising these concerns via the media instead of going directly to the Committee.
In a letter to the media the Chairman of the CGi, Dave Newman, said: “It is clear to us and also worrying that Home Affairs appears to not be close enough to local businesses to understand the difficulties they are facing, so we would like our members to sit down with Deputy Prow so these concerns can be spelt out.
“The amendments to the new law, introduced in April of this year, are creating a ‘skills drain’, leaving businesses chronically short of trained and experienced staff. So, rather than improving the situation, the changes are making the situation worse.
“As an example, one CGi member firm is having to let go loyal, dedicated employees, some with 20 years’ continuous service because the legislation will now only allow them to remain on a short term, nine month contract, which is ridiculous.”
Deputy Prow has sought to “clarify” a few facts regarding the new joint population and immigration policy framework, while assuring the Confederation that he and his Committee would be more than happy to meet.
‘While it is disappointing that the CGI seems to want to have this conversation via the media, rather than contacting us directly to request a meeting, I can confirm that we would be very happy to meet with them to discuss their concerns,” he said.
“I would take this opportunity to clarify a few facts regarding the new joint population and immigration policy framework, as it pertains to the CGI’s statement:
Deputy Prow continued: “We fully appreciate that employers need to be able to secure the staff they need, which is why the States Assembly agreed far-reaching changes to the island’s population and immigration policies to enable businesses to access a global pool of workers from which to recruit. However, we must equally balance that economic need with ensuring there are residency restrictions in place for those on Short Term Employment Permits. If these were not in place, the current challenges the island faces with housing, for example, would be exacerbated alongside the additional pressures on essential services.
“Our Committee is keen to learn more from the CGI so hope it will reach out to us to request a meeting. We are always willing to look at issues and adapt if there is evidence that it’s needed, for example will are currently actively looking at adapting the policy whereby staff arriving to the island must prove they have two years relevant experience in the role they’re arriving to do. We will be able to provide an update on that shortly, but it is a further example of our willingness to listen to feedback where it can be evidenced.”
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.