MOrsel: New Migration Policy in Jersey: "Achieving the Right Balance"

New proposals to strengthen migration controls in Jersey have been proposed by Ministers, as part of a new policy that will be debated by the States Assembly in March 2018. The policy, subtitled "Achieving the Right Balance", seeks to address public concern about rising migration and its impact on services, housing and infrastructure, whilst allowing businesses to continue to attract skilled workers to the Island. Key proposals are to introduce:

1. A work permit regime for all new Registered status workers – with permit categories comprising "seasonal and temporary" (up to 10 months at a time) and "medium term" (up to four years);
2. Criminal records checks for new migrants; and
3. Photographs on newly issued registration cards.

With the most eye-catching of these being the proposed new work permit regime, we expect legislative and public debate to focus on the "chilling effect" this could have upon the Island's ability to maintain a steady and cost-effective working population. The policy acknowledges the potential adverse effects of a work permit regime, but argues it will increase "churn" in Jersey's labour market and help alleviate pressure on publicly funded resources.

The policy also proposes a review to consider how migrants to Jersey may be better integrated into the wider community. More generally, with the proportion of Jersey's ageing population set to increase exponentially towards 2035, and Islanders likely to have to remain in the workplace for longer, the policy notes that technology should be used to help develop more flexible ways of working.

With important aspects of the new policy not yet confirmed – particularly how the new work permit regime is intended to operate alongside the current migration categories – we will continue to provide updates on relevant developments, as and when they are available.