Immigration loophole exposed by MPs
MPs have exposed significant weaknesses in the UK’s intra-company transfer visa scheme, criticizing the UK Border Agency for insufficient checks on employers bringing foreign workers into the country. The investigation found that companies exploit loopholes involving salary allowances to hire cheaper workers from abroad, while the agency lacks proper monitoring systems to track compliance or ensure migrants leave when required.
Cable criticises Cameron immigration targets
Vince Cable criticises the Prime Minister’s immigration targets as “very unwise,” warning that a permanent cap on non-EU skilled workers could damage the UK economy and prevent employers from filling vacancies. Business leaders agree, cautioning that restricting skilled labour immigration could be “disastrous” for economic competitiveness and financial services.
Eight jobs removed from ‘skills shortage’ list
Eight occupations including senior care workers and migrant chefs have been removed from the UK’s shortage occupation list, restricting non-EU skilled workers from filling these roles. The move aims to cut jobs available to non-European migrants from 500,000 to 230,000 by 2015 as part of the coalition government’s anti-immigration measures.
Immigration cap is hindering UK business
The UK’s temporary migration cap is preventing employers from filling critical vacancies in engineering, IT, healthcare, and finance, despite rising unemployment. A survey found that 17% of employers were blocked from hiring non-EU workers, hindering productivity particularly in the NHS.
Ask the expert: Employee’ residence permit expires on maternity leave – what do we do?
When an employee’s residence or work permit expires during maternity leave, employers must first clarify which permit type is involved and contact the employee immediately to ensure she’s aware. Legal action depends on the permit type and whether renewal or sponsorship extension is possible, requiring urgent specific legal advice and consultation with UK Border Agency guidance.
Jobs for skilled workers should be cut by 1/3
A UK government-appointed panel recommends cutting eligible skilled worker occupations from 192 to 121, excluding hairdressers and science technicians while keeping nurses and engineers. The proposal would raise visa thresholds to graduate level and reduce migrant worker admissions by approximately 10,000 annually as part of efforts to lower net migration.
Work visa crack down proposed
Immigration minister Damian Green proposes scrapping the post-study work visa for non-EU students, claiming the current system unfairly disadvantages UK graduates seeking employment. The move aims to reduce bogus courses used as covers for staying in the country to work.
Immigration cap could be challenged
The UK government has reintroduced immigration caps on skilled workers outside the EU following a High Court ruling, but an immigration specialist warns the new measures could face legal challenge for similar procedural failings that made the previous cap illegal.
Update: Immigration cap legislation and how it affects you
The UK government has introduced new immigration restrictions including an annual cap of 20,700 migrants under Tier 2 (General) and a £40,000 salary threshold for intra-company transfers. These measures aim to reduce net migration while new rules will eliminate Tier 1 (General) visas for skilled workers not sponsored by employers.
Migration cap open to abuse, say critics
Critics warn that the government’s new annual migration cap of 21,700 skilled non-EU workers is a “blunt tool” that fails to address widespread abuse of the intra-company transfer system. Excluding these transfers from the cap despite evidence of exploitation means the policy won’t effectively tackle the actual concerns around labor market undercutting.
UK ‘too accomodating’ to immigration appeals, claims inspector
A UK immigration inspector has criticized the Border Agency for being too lenient with employers of illegal migrants, collecting only £5.6 million of £40 million in imposed fines since 2008 and taking an overly accommodating approach to appeals.
Globalisation creates challenges for HR
A new IBM study reveals that globalisation is reshaping HR challenges as companies compete for global talent. With India and China increasingly hiring in North America and Europe, Western firms face growing difficulty retaining skilled workers as opportunities and living standards improve in emerging markets.
Migrant worker cut a concern
The Migration Advisory Committee recommended cutting UK migrant worker visas by up to 80% by 2015, sparking concerns from employers and policy experts who warn the cuts could damage economic growth and public services while failing to meet the government’s immigration targets.
Radical immigration cap will mean major skills problems
A radical immigration cap would worsen UK skills shortages for employers and drive jobs overseas, warns the CIPD, as training workers takes years. The organization argues for continued skilled migration alongside increased investment in UK workforce development to address long-term labor gaps.
Undercover Boss – Narin Ganesh’s filming diary
Crown Relocations’ Finance Director Narin Ganesh went undercover in his own company for Channel 4’s Undercover Boss, documenting his behind-the-scenes filming experience. His diary reveals the challenges of appearing natural on camera while working alongside employees who didn’t know his true identity.
Immigration cap: it’s happening
Despite business and Cabinet concerns about an immigration cap, the UK government plans to implement the measure anyway. Home Secretary Theresa May will launch a consultation with employers and universities, but officials confirm the cap on non-EU migrants will proceed to fulfill election commitments.
HR solutions for small and dispersed populations
Organizations with small, dispersed workforces globally face unique HR challenges when justifying technology investment. This article explores emerging software and outsourcing solutions designed specifically for companies with multiple small offices across different regions, examining how they can improve the financial business case for HR transformation while delivering strategic benefits.
HR tip: Lawful discrimination
While employers can encourage underrepresented groups to apply for training and advancement, restricting opportunities to specific ethnic groups is unlawful. Use transparent selection criteria applied equally to all candidates, with reasonable accommodations for language differences.
