Calls for changes to Guernsey work permits

Hospitality businesses are calling for changes to immigration law

Businesses in Guernsey are calling for changes to immigration law to make it easier to hire overseas workers.

Work permit rules changed in April in a bid to keep and recruit more staff, with five-year permits being scrapped, eight-year stays being allowed and one-year permits being renewable for up to three years.

However, companies say long processing times and permits not being of suitable lengths had caused difficulties, including reducing working hours and incurring extra costs.

The government said staff were "continuing to work through a large number of applications" and the changes had brought "significant positives for industry".

Anyone from outside Guernsey needs a permit or certificate to work, which is applied for by their prospective employer.

Kim Ashplant, owner of Beetons Chip Shop, said the government was behind in processing documentation for three prospective staff members from Latvia.

She said: "Getting the references and the actual paperwork together takes time.

"And then when we get all that, they then get put into Population Management ... unfortunately, they [the government] are 15 weeks behind."

The States' website says queries about applications should wait until about eight to 12 weeks after their submission.

Monika Komla, owner of Saltwater Restaurant, said even longer permits than those offered were needed to ensure a steady future.

She said: "I like to have a long-term relationship with my employees so it creates the sustainability for the business.

"It's a constant struggle... I will be looking for that next person because I know I'm going to lose them [those working already]."

Home Affairs Committee President, Rob Prow, said Brexit and the Covid pandemic had led to increased workloads through a "large number of applications" and the new policy was still bedding in.

He added: "It is important to note that the vast majority of these are considered 'in-policy' renewals, so applicants can continue to live and work here lawfully whilst the application is awaiting processing."