Tynwald committee warning over affect of work permit suspension plan

Work permits are required for non-Isle of Man workers moving to the island for jobs

Suspending the Manx work permit system could put "unnecessary strain on already overwhelmed public services", a Tynwald committee has warned.

The temporary measure has been proposed by the Department for Enterprise due to staff and skills shortages and private sector concerns over red tape.

The department gave evidence about the suspension plan to the Economic Policy Review Committee last week.

Committee chairman Clare Christian said considering its affect was "crucial".

She said removing the work permit requirement could lead to an influx of off-island workers that would potentially "imbalance" the labour market.

This increase could place an extra burden on under-pressure public services, she continued.

'Thorough examination'

Tynwald is set to consider the department's plan, which would see permits replaced with a new registration system, at its November sitting.

The proposal has been supported by the Isle of Man's Chamber of Commerce, which described the work permit process as "unnecessary" red tape, which had limited growth.

Ms Christian said there was a risk businesses could "misunderstand" the suspension, which could result in "unfair competition" for local jobseekers.

The MHK said although efforts to grow the economy and boost the population were "understandable", this needed to be balanced against "long-term economic stability" and the interests of local workers.

The plan needs to undergo a "thorough examination" before any decisions are made, she added.

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