Immigration rules could hit Region's workforce

East Anglia's rural economy could be hit by tough new immigration laws launched today which could curb recruitment of seasonal workers.

Ministers will unveil the measures to control the number of low-skilled workers entering the UK. The points-based immigration system is designed to make it easier for highly skilled individuals to enter the country but will effectively bar those with few or no qualifications - thousands of whom provide much-needed labour in the eastern region.

Farming leaders predict the new system will limit the number of non-EU workers employed as crop-pickers and in seasonal industries like Christmas turkey production.

British people do not want these jobs and even workers from new EU countries like Poland are turning their backs on the jobs. If employers can no longer ship in staff from further afield, it could halt production and lead to a rise in prices.

Norfolk farmer Richard Hirst, chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) horticultural board, said: "This will not help us at all. On the whole we are talking about part-time temporary labour - those kinds of people simply won't be able to get permission to work here and it will leave massive recruitment gaps.

"Since the eastern European countries joined the EU their own economies have become stronger, so fewer workers are coming to the UK for work. For example the number of Poles working here is at the lowest level for four years.

"This means we will be increasingly turning back to non-EU workers who, under this scheme, will struggle to work here legally. We need these people to do the jobs Brits don't want."

The government defended the scheme saying it should help, not hinder farms and other industries which rely on seasonal and casual labour.

Regional minister Barbara Follett told the EDP that the system had in-built flexibility meaning the criteria would be adapted depending on demand for any particular type of worker.

She said: "If there is demand, low-skilled and temporary workers will still be given permission to enter the country. The idea is to ensure this country has all of the workers it needs without flooding the market.

"It should also provide extra protection for the workers themselves as we will be dealing with responsible employers not gang-masters and should help British workers as well."

Mrs Follett added that help would be offered to employers to ensure they are within the law. "I'm confident this will help the east of England," she said.

The scheme means only limited numbers of workers will be able to enter the country based on their qualifications and experience combined with the demand for their skills. This means high-flyers such as bankers along with key workers like nurses and teachers should have no problem entering the UK. However, low-skilled workers will only be allowed to enter the country for a limited period and only if they have a fixed job offer.

Employers found to be employing illegals will face unlimited fines or even jail. The measures will be combined with increased enforcement on those who over-stay.

Businesses which want to sponsor and employ migrants must be licensed by the Border and Immigration Agency.

Mr Hirst said that one particular area which would be hit is the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme which brings thousands of farming students to East Anglia each year to gain experience and fill employment gaps. About 16,500 students currently take part and Mr Hirst said this should actually be expanded by about 10,000, not restricted further.

Source: Eastern Daily Press