jobs

Foreign Tradies Are Flocking To Australia

7 January, 2020

Foreign tradies are flocking to Australia to take thousands of jobs construction bosses can't get locals to fill

Visas for mechanics, chefs, carpenters and electricians rose by 34 per cent
The figure comes after the Government vowed to give locals first pick of all jobs
Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said there aren’t enough locals to fill positions

Foreign workers are flooding into Australia to take thousands of jobs construction bosses can’t get locals to fill. New figures reveal the number of Australians taking up trades has declined over the past six years, while more temporary skilled worker visas are being handed out than ever before.

Visas granted for mechanics, chefs, welders, carpenters and electricians rose from 7,200 to 9,200 nationally from 2018 to 2019. In Queensland, that figure rose from 880 to nearly 1,200 in the same time period. The statistics come after the government revamped foreign worker visas and vowed to give Australians first pick of all available jobs.

Opposition immigration spokeswoman Kristina Keneally asked why the Coalition were letting the number of people on foreign worker visas grow – particularly in Queensland.

‘It’s clear the Morrison Government’s changes to the 457 visa system two years ago were an attempt to cover up their failure to train Queensland workers for Queensland jobs,’ she said.

Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the Coalition had created a ‘serious tradie shortage’ in the state.

‘Scott Morrison’s cuts to TAFE mean Queenslanders aren’t being trained in these critical trades,’ she said.

Other members of the Labor party said the Coalition Government ‘failed to train Queenslanders’.

But acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge maintained bosses only hire foreign workers when they can’t find locals to do the job.

‘We don’t want to hold up major projects in Australia because of lack of qualified people,’ he said.

The number of foreign tradies being accepted into the country was much higher than other jobs including managers, community workers, administration and sales.

Australia faces skills shortage due to failed training

UK Recruitment Industry Reacts To Queen’s Speech

5 January, 2020

Proposed Legislation includes a new employment bill, a points-based immigration system for skilled workers, flexible working and a national skills fund

During the State Opening of Parliament in December, the Queen outlined a comprehensive list of the new government’s proposed legislation including a new employment bill, a points-based immigration system for skilled workers, flexible working and a national skills fund.

The proposed employment bill promises to protect and enhance workers’ rights when the UK leaves the EU. The government is also set to create a new single enforcement body to protect workers’ rights. Workers would also have the right to request a more stable contract. Flexible working would also be default, unless employers have a good reason not to allow this (this is subject to consultation).

The recruitment industry has reacted to the announcement.

Tom Hadley, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said, “We hope the government’s employment bill will incentivise business compliance and increase fairness and flexibility in work. Two way flexibility, that supports businesses and workers’ choices, is vital to a fair and productive labour market. The challenge ahead is to ensure that this works for all parties.”

“The government’s recognition of the importance of all people being able to retrain is welcome,” Hadley continued. “Recruitment professionals are in a unique position to facilitate career transitions and progression, and to provide the latest insight into how skills needs are evolving. We look forward to ensuring that the National Skills Fund works for employers and workers alike.”

Tania Bowers, General Counsel at The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), also commented, “While it was confirmed that measures will be brought forward to encourage gig workers to request a “more predictable contract”, our members are keen to understand whether this right will be extended to non-permanent agency workers, who by their nature are flexible.”

“We welcome the introduction of a National Skills Fund. However, while a commitment to ‘growing our own’ talent will help to mitigate against talent gaps in the future, in the interim access to skilled professionals from Europe and beyond must be maintained,” Bowers said.

“While today’s speech underlined a commitment to a ‘modern, fair, points-based immigration system’, Tier 2 Visas will continue to require a job offer. APSCo maintains that there must be a dedicated visa route as part of the future skills-based immigration system, through which highly skilled contractors from overseas can come to the UK and support British businesses. The abolition of the previous cap on numbers under the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visas coupled with a new fast-track immigration scheme for top scientists and researchers, however, should help alleviate skills shortages in some of the most talent-short sectors,” Bowers continued.

Bowers also called for a rethink to incoming changes related to IR35, and added that APSCo believes it should be delayed ‘pending a further impact review and completion of an assessment on employment status.’

October 2019 Queen's Speech and State Opening of Parliament

Why Australia Is The Next Place To Expand Your Business

3 January, 2020

Australia's Dynamic Industries

The Australian Government welcomes foreign investment. As the Australian Government’s investment promotion agency, Austrade works to inform investors about growth opportunities in five areas which play to our strengths, jointly agreed by Australian and State and Territory Governments:

Agribusiness and food
Major infrastructure
Tourism infrastructure
Resources and energy
Advanced manufacturing, services and technology

Within advanced manufacturing, services and technology, Austrade focuses on highlighting growth opportunities for investment in Australian medical and materials sciences and technologies, and digital technologies.

Australia has achieved significant global success in the energy and resources, agribusiness, education, tourism and financial services industries.

The country is also developing and commercialising new disruptive technologies in a range of sectors, including agriculture, education, financial services and healthcare.

Australia is renowned for its resources sector, upon which Asia continues to rely to help fuel its industrialisation. Australian agricultural commodities and premium food are in high demand worldwide, as are its tourism, education, wealth management, healthcare and professional services.

Australia is:

the world’s largest producer of gold, iron ore and uranium
a major global producer of agricultural commodities
a leader in investment management, with the sixth largest pool of funds under management in the world
the world’s third most popular destination for students
the seventh largest international tourism market.

GLOBALLY SUCCESSFUL IN FIVE KEY INDUSTRIES

Australia is a major producer of in-demand agricultural commodities, premium food and natural resources. The nation is a leading destination for international tourists and students in tertiary education. It also has large, expanding, sophisticated financial markets, including the world’s sixth largest pool of managed fund assets.

A LEADER IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Australia’s transition to a services-based economy is driving the development of new technologies in agriculture, education, financial services and health, among other sectors. This includes the use of blockchain in finance, immersive simulation technologies in education, robotics in medical procedures and the Internet of Things in agriculture.

ABUNDANT RESERVES OF MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES

Australia’s natural resources continue to be a vital contributor to the nation’s wealth. It has the world’s largest resources of iron ore, gold, lead, zinc, nickel, rutile and zircon, as well as the second largest bauxite, cobalt, silver and copper reserves. Australia also has the world’s largest uranium reserves and the second largest brown coal deposits, enabling it to play an important role in supplying the world’s energy needs.

Why Australia is the next place to expand your business

Australia Holds World Record For Longest Period Of Growth Among Developed Economies

2 January, 2020

Austrade estimates that Australia holds the record for the longest period of recession-free growth for a developed economy

According to the latest National Accounts figures recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia holds the record for the longest period of recession-free growth for a developed economy.

The latest outcome is a positive sign that Australia’s economy is maintaining the solid momentum and has entered its 28th year of uninterrupted annual economic growth.

Australia is the only country in the developed world with a period of uninterrupted economic growth of this length, based on the typically recognised definition of an economic recession being a decline in GDP for two or more consecutive quarters.

All 34 member countries in the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD) have experienced at least one period of two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth since 1991. Many of these economies experienced two episodes of negative growth during that period – one in 2001 following the collapse of the ‘dot.com bubble’, and one during the 2008 global financial crisis (GFC).

The period since 1991 is the longest growth phase Australia has recorded for at least the past 50 years. It has seen the economy register an average growth rate of 3.2% per annum.

The next longest period, during which Australia’s economic year-ended growth remained positive was between 1961 and 1971. In the 1970s and 1980s, Australia’s growth phases lasted only seven or eight years before another recession hit.

On a quarter-to-quarter basis national accounts figures represented the 104th positive growth rate since the economy started to recover in Q3 1991, following the two consecutive negative growth rates in Q1 and Q2 1991.

By Austrade’s count, Australia’s consecutive quarters of positive growth have now exceeded all OECD member countries including the Netherlands (96 quarters between Q1 1982 to Q2 2008), Ireland (78 between Q3 1986 and Q1 2007), South Korea (77 since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998) and Canada (68 between Q2 1991 and Q3 2008).

Australia’s economic resilience over the past two decades has been the envy of many countries. Australia sailed through the Asian economic crisis of 1997–98, prospered through the US stock market bust and recession of 2001 and continued to grow through the GFC of 2008–09.

Australia has managed to deliver a solid economic performance relative to other developed economies, while adjusting to the end of its mining boom of the 2000s.

The nation is expected to realise an average annual real GDP growth of 2.7% between 2019 and 2023, according to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook October 2018. The latest average growth rate over the next five years is the highest among major advanced economies and up from an average growth rate of 2.6% between 2014 and 2018.

Australia's GDP growth is 'unmatched by any other developed nation'

Australia Relaxes English Requirement For Migrant Farm Workers & Offers Pathway To Permanent Residency

31 December, 2019

Great Opportunities For Migrant Farm Workers In Australia

Australian horticulture farmers will be able to sponsor overseas workers to work in their farms from next year with the Australian government relaxing English language requirements and offering a pathway to permanent residency to skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers.

Around Australia farmers grappling with difficulties in hiring and retaining farm workers, have been demanding a standalone Agriculture visa. While the Federal Government isn’t amenable to the idea, it has introduced a few measures, including allowing farmers to sponsor overseas workers.

The government has announced special labour agreements with the horticulture industry that will allow farmers to hire skilled and low-skilled migrant workers where Australian workers aren’t available.

The arrangement commencing on January 1, 2020 offers the workers concessions in the English language requirements and minimum salary that a sponsoring employer is required to pay them.

“Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps and grow local economies,” Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said.

Horticulture employers will be able to apply to the Department of Home Affairs to sponsor migrant workers to come to Australia to work in one of the 31 approved occupations under the new arrangement.

Agriculture Minister Senator McKenzie said the arrangement will address the desperate need for workers in rural and regional Australia.

“This is about recognising that horticulture is a developed industry and requires a skilled workforce to continue to grow,” Ms McKenzie said.

We are working with a number of regional areas to assist in filling their skills gaps so Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Come Live Our Philausophy

Australian Visas: What’s Changed From 1st July 2019

30 December, 2019

Level of immigration to Australia had the centre stage

The level of immigration to Australia had the centre stage for the better part of this last year with the Government announcing some of the most significant changes seen in the recent years.

Some of the most significant changes to Australia’s immigration system in recent years took effect this year.

Immigration cap lowered:

Following months of posturing on the issue of growing congestion in Sydney and Melbourne, the Federal Government announced in March this year that it will cut back Australia’s annual permanent immigration intake to 160,000. The intake has been capped at 190,000 since 2011 but the actual intake fell to just over 162,000 in 2017-18 for the first time in over a decade.

The impact of the overall cut will be absorbed by Skilled Independent visas that allowed people to live and work anywhere in Australia.

The government said the cap will be maintained for the next four years.

New regional visas:

The government also announced an increase in the number of visa places for regional Australia with 23,000 skilled visas being reserved for those willing to live and work in the regions.

The two new provisional regional visas were introduced in November this year – Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa and Skilled Work Regional Visa will have 9,000 and 14,000 places respectively within the annual immigration cap of 160,000.

Visa holders of these subclasses will be required to spend at least three years in regional areas in order to become eligible to apply for permanent residency, instead of two years. A new regional permanent visa will be introduced in 2022.

International students will be able to access an additional year of post-study visa if they study in an educational institute in the regions, outside of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and southeast Queensland.

Extra points for skilled migration:

Visa applicants sponsored or nominated for these regional visas will have the benefit of five extra points towards their points test.

The government has also announced an additional 10 points for applicants with a skilled spouse and for those without a spouse. There are extra points for qualifications in STEM subjects as well.

New parent visa:

The new Temporary Sponsored Parent visa applications are being accepted from 1 July 2019. The visa – first promised ahead of the 2016 federal election – is being made available this year after the legislation it was tied to passed through the federal parliament in October last year.

The new visa is linked to a sponsorship framework under which Australian citizen or permanent residents have to first apply to become approved sponsors. Once they are approved as sponsors, their parents will be able to apply for the visa that will allow them to stay in Australia for a continuous period of up to five years with a single opportunity for renewal. The total number of visas issued is capped at 15,000 per year.

Citizenship changes abandoned:

According to media reports, the Federal Government has abandoned the legislation that would have made migrants to wait longer and prove they have competent English proficiency before they could apply for Australian citizenship.

After the Bill passed through the House of Representatives, it was struck off the Senate notice paper in October 2017 due to a joint opposition by the Greens, Labor and some cross bench senators.

Since then, the government had softened its stand on English requirements, scaling it down to ‘moderate’, but couldn’t get the required support to pass it in the Senate.

There are currently significant opportunities throughout Australia across a broad range of occupations.

Australia is the most successful multi cultural country in the world so Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Australian Immigration News Video December 2019 - Changes 491 visa & 494 visa Regional Rush & more!

Blog Series – Working In The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Part 4

28 December, 2019

Part 4 - Medical Fitness Requirements For Expatriates

In order for the UAE to grant or renew a residence visa for all expatriates, males and females, have to undergo and pass medical fitness tests at government approved health centres in the UAE.

All applicants of a UAE Residency Visa, whether for first time or for renewal, will be tested for two communicable diseases:

HIV (by testing their blood) and;
Pulmonary tuberculosis (by taking an x-ray of their chest).

Those found to be HIV positive or having tuberculosis will be considered medically unfit and therefore will not be granted a residence visa. They will be deported immediately by the UAE’s authorities.

Residents who are detected with dormant or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are also considered medically fit:

In this case, they are granted a one-year ‘Health Fitness Certificate for Residence’ subject to treatment and follow-up by the Department of Preventive Medicine or equivalent government health authority.

Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first.

You need to know:

In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB.
In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first

Work visa requirements:

In order to be able to obtain a clear work/residence permit, expatriates need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB. Hence, if you suspect to be suffering from a communicable disease it is advisable to get yourself tested in your home country first.

In addition, the following categories of workers should test negative for syphilis and Hepatitis B:

Workers in nurseries
Domestic workers including housemaids, nannies and drivers
Food handlers and workers in restaurants and cafes
Workers in saloons and beauty centres
Workers in health clubs
Female domestic workers must test negative for pregnancy

Important note:

A new Cabinet Resolution was passed in 2016. As per this resolution, all resident expatriates while renewing their residence visas have to undergo TB screening, too.
Those found with scars or active TB or found having drug-resistant TB will be issued a conditional fitness certificate and be issued residence visa for one year. They will then have to undergo treatment in the UAE.

Where are government medical fitness centres located?

Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Shariah have several medical fitness centres. Check also medical examinations centres for residency offered by the Ministry of Health and Prevention – Preventive Medicine Department.

Medical examination for Residency:

You can complete your medical examinations regarding the issuance of a residence visa at a medical examination centre near you.

Services offered at the centres:

Printing of Residence visa forms.
Conducting of medical examination.
Issuance of Emirates ID (Preventive Medicine Departments only)
Documents Required
Valid passport copy
Valid Residence Permit/Visa copy.
Two passport size photographs with a white background.
Valid Emirates ID copy (only in case of renewal of residence visa).

Service Locations:

Medical examination centres for UAE Residency Visa process in shopping malls

Ibn Battuta Mall Dubai – Jebel Ali, China Court, Besides DEWA Customer Happiness center, 04-8804762, MEC.IBN@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday, Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing
Dragon Mart 2 Dubai – International City, First floor, Near Novo Cinemas, 04-2326615, MEC.DG2@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing, Saturday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Applications accepted only till one hour before closing
Spring Souk Mall Dubai – Jebel Ali, Springs Shopping Center, 1st floor – near Reel cinema, 04-4274431, Spring.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday – Thursday
Salah Al Deen Street (19/b), Al Muraqqabat, Opposite to Al Reef Mall and Salah El Deen Metro Station, 04-4274431, MEC.SalahElDeen.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 7:30 AM- 7:30 PM, Sunday-Thursday
Al Khobaisi Dubai – Deira, Al Ittihad Street (22), Behind Hyundai Agency, 04-2355524, MEC.AlKhobaisi.DXB@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
Al Nahda Center Dubai-Deira, Al Nahda Area 1, Al Ittihad Street (4), Near Tadbeer Center, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday, 04-2638833, MEC.AlNahda.DXB@moh.gov.ae
Al Khibrah Center Sharjah-Industrial Area (10) near the industrial police station (10), 06-7489547, MEC.AlKhibrah.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday – Thursday
Mushrif Health Centre Ajman, Al Ittihad Street near Emirates Telecommunication Corporation Company, 06-7455900, MEC.Mushairif.AJM@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
Sahara Center Sharjah – Al Nahda Area Sahara Center – basement, 06-5313666, MEC.Sahara.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday
Al Ibdaa Center Sharjah Industrial area 18 Al Maliha street Showroom 3, 4, 06-7429800, MEC.AlIbdaa.SHJ@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
Al Dahan center Ras al Khaimah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Street near the red Twilight car upholstery shop, 07-2224900, MEC.Dahan.RAK@moh.gov.ae, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday – Thursday

Service Charges: 48 hours (AED 110 including VAT)

The Ministry of Health and Prevention Preventive Medicine Departments:

Preventive Medicine Center – Dubai (Al Baraha), 04-2731161, dxb.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Preventive medicine Center – Al Ghubaiba, 06-5662111, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Examination Center of Expatriate Labour in the Industrial Area, 06-5421442, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Preventive Medicine Center – Kalba, 09-2031256, kal.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Wednesday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Preventive Medicine Centre – Dibba Al Hisn, 09-2444455, shj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Preventive Medicine Center – Khorfakkan, 09-2384664, khor.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Preventive medicine Center – Al Dhaid, 06-8822221, dhd.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Preventive Medicine Center – Fujairah, 09-2227114, fuj.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Preventive Medicine Centre – Ras Al Khaimah, 07-2223111, rak.pmd@moh.gov.ae
Preventive Medicine Center – Ajman, 06-7031700, ajm.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Sunday and Tuesday 5:00 PM to 10 PM
Preventive Medicine Center – Umm Al Quwain, 06-7649393, uaq.pmd@moh.gov.ae, Sunday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Tuesday 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM 5:00PM to 10:00 PM Service Charges: 48hrs.
(Subject to 105 AED Service charge)
Medical Examination Packages
All Categories (excluding vaccination and female household domestic service) – AED 260
All Categories (including vaccination) – AED 310
Female House Hold Domestic Service – AED 360

UAE Resident visa: Medical Test

Immigration Update Following UK Election Result

27 December, 2019

What can be expected from an “Australian-style points based immigration system” if replicated in the UK post-Brexit

The Boris Johnson immigration tag line has long been that under his leadership the UK will have an “Australian-style Points Based System”. Now the election results have been counted and it has been confirmed that Boris will continue his tenure in 10 Downing Street, what can be expected from an “Australian-style points based immigration system” if replicated in the UK post-Brexit in January 2021?

The Conservative manifesto was vague when it described what UK businesses could expect from a new immigration system once the Brexit transition period comes to an end on 31 December 2020. The previous Immigration White Paper (published in 2018) made no mention of a points based system; however it did make clear that whatever immigration system is in place, it would be applicable to EEA nationals arriving post-31 December 2020 as well as third country nationals arriving in the UK. Those applying under the existing Settled Status scheme who are resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 (or 31 January 2020 in the event of a no deal) should not fall under a new immigration system. On 8 December 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the new work-based immigration system would be a 3-tier system, applying to all new arrivals in the UK, consisting of:

A top tier for exceptional talent who would be able to obtain a UK visa without a job offer
A second tier for skilled workers with a UK job offer
A third tier for unskilled workers, coming for short-term visas in sectors with employee shortages.

When referring to an “Australian-style points based system”, no further explanation has been made on what this would look like or how it would operate in practice. In the Australian immigration system, there are two primary categories which require individuals to score points in order to assess eligibility for an Australian visa. These two categories are the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). These categories do have slight differences but in short, both categories require applicants to meet the following requirements:

Be under the age of 45
Score 65 points or more under the points system
Meet a minimum level of English
Ensure their current occupation is listed on the pre-approved skilled occupation list
Meet a minimum health requirement
Meet a minimum character requirement
A declaration the applicant holds suitable skills for their occupation

The individual must firstly submit an expression of interest form, showing they meet the above criteria. Points will mainly be awarded for age, English competency, overseas and Australian employment experience and education. The Australian government will then review the application and invite successful applicants to make a formal visa application. At this point, the individual will need to file supporting evidence including a CV and evidence of education. Providing the application is approved, the individual will receive an e-visa which is linked to the individual’s passport and permits them to work in Australia with no restrictions.

The above is not too dissimilar from the previous UK Tier 1 General visa category, which was closed to overseas applicants on 23 December 2010 and permanently closed on 6 April 2018. Under the previous Tier 1 General system, individuals were primarily awarded points for age, education and previous earnings over a 12 month period. However a key difference is that even though individuals are required to score points for the visa category, an individual must also be in a profession listed on the Australian skilled occupation list, which is a key concern for some UK industries who have expressed worries that their key professions would not be included on this occupation list and thus bar key talent from being able to relocate to the UK. Upon reviewing the Australian skilled occupation list, it includes professions currently represented on the UK occupation list, such as teachers, lawyers and engineers. It also covers roles which are currently deemed “unskilled” in the UK such as mechanics and tradespeople (carpenters, plumbers etc) as well as some more specialist niche roles such as horse trainers and tennis coaches.

Australia also has a separate “Short-term Skilled Occupation List” of professions which are only eligible for a more limited range of visas. Under this list, individuals cannot “self-sponsor” (ie hold the visa independently) and employer-sponsored work visas are restricted to two year period for most occupations on the list, with no path to permanent residency. This is partially reflected in the UK government’s proposal for a third tier for unskilled workers and could provide an interim solution for businesses whose vacant positions are more transient in nature.

Regardless of whether the above is implemented, the UK government revert to their previous White Paper proposals or opt for a whole new immigration system, it will be important for employers to stay abreast of updates and developments in 2020 to ensure they are prepared for a fresh immigration system in January 2021 which will apply to all new arrivals in the UK, whether they are EEA nationals or third country nationals.