Online Education

Following the Migration Advisory?s Committee?s (MAC) review of the shortage occupation lists in the UK, the UK Border Agency has implemented some of the recommendations received from the MAC. ?

For occupations omitted from the list, potential employers cannot engage non EEA workers until they have completed a Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT).

Immigration minister Phil Woolas said: ‘The reduced job shortage list means migrants can only fill skilled vacancies through this route where there is a significant shortage of local workers to do the work. This does not mean that all jobs on the list will go to foreign workers. In fact, only a small proportion of these jobs, which employers are unable to fill with British workers and those already here, will go to people from outside Europe.

‘Any skilled job not on this list must now be advertised in a Jobcentre Plus – giving British workers and those already here the chance to apply for them first.

‘This is yet another example of how the government can use the flexibility of the points-based system to ensure migration works for everyone in these changing economic times.’

The newly amended Skills Shortage list, now approved by the UK Border Agency, applying to Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS), will come into full effect from 15 June 2009. According to a study released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), it has been indicated that although migration is set to be decreasing during the economic recession, the likelihood of it increasing once the economy improves is high. This report has confirmed that between a quarter and a third of jobs held by highly skilled migrants have taken shape through intra-company transfers. Figures have been established, indicating that 130 jobs a day are being taken by skilled migrants, through intra-company transfers, therefore disallowing the job vacancies to be advertised to UK citizens.

The report warns that historically migrant communities are usually the first to be adversely affected during an economic recession and in the same vein are the most needed when economic conditions improve.

An article in the Telegraph quotes OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria ?In these challenging times, policymakers should address labor market integration of immigrants as a matter of priority. Migration is not a tap that can be turned on and off at will?.

Tags: Apply, chance, Development, development oecd, economic recession, economic times, EEA, eea shortage, Employer, Everyone, Flexibility, government, immigration minister, intra company, job vacancies, jobcentre, jobs, labour, labour market, List, market test, Migration, minister phil, PBS, phil woolas, proportion, Report, Resident, s committee, Shortage, skilled job, skilled migrants, Skills, Study, test, Tightening, uk citizens, Workers