Jersey government plans fee for migrant workers

Senator Paul Routier said all migrants will have to pay the £75 on top of the business fee

People moving to Jersey will have to pay a registration fee under plans proposed by the population office.

Migrants will be required to pay £75 for a registration card before they are able to start work under a new control of housing and work law.

Senator Paul Routier from the Migration Policy Group, said this was one of a number of fees being introduced to control population.

Businesses wanting to employ migrant workers will also have to pay a fee.

Senator Routier said the new law aims to establish a more effective and efficient system of immigration control.

Under the law residential status will be split into four categories covering areas someone can work and live.

Any business employing migrant workers will have to pay £175 per licensed employee and £50 per registered employee.

Visiting contractors and traders will also have to pay a fee of up to £1,500 to work in Jersey.

The senator said the fees would bring Jersey into line with other areas and would meet the cost of administering migrant controls.

There will be a number of exemptions including removing the need for self employed entitled people working fewer than eight hours a week to need a licence.

Senator Routier said: "These variable exemptions have been designed to achieve less red tape while also supporting local employment.

"Our existing laws urgently need replacing. However, this must be done in an ordered manner to make the process as seamless as possible for businesses.

"We hope that the package of measures we have announced this week, including a firm implementation date, fees, practical exemptions and guidance materials, will allow this to take place."

If approved by the States Assembly, the law will come into force on 1 July 2013.