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Controversial work permit changes come into force
CONTROVERSIAL changes to the Isle of Man's work permit regulations came into force on New Year's Day.
It means that some jobs will no longer need a work permit, subject to employees not working more than a certain number of days in a year in the Island.
Trade and Industry Minister David Cretney said the aim was to boost the economy by making the Island an easier place to do business, while protecting Isle of Man workers.
The Chamber of Commerce and employers have welcomed the change as a way to attract new business to the Island.
But Bernard Moffatt, the director of information at pressure group the Celtic League, said the changes would open the door for UK and EU workers to get jobs which Islanders could do.
'At a time when the government has been extolling all Manx people to pull together to weather the worst effects of fiscal changes imposed by the UK, jobs which could well have been done by Manx people have been exported and are now more readily accessible to UK and EU workers,' he said.
'There appears to have been no public support for these measures from Manx people and they are clearly driven by a business, rather than a popular agenda which sees the security of local employment as secondary to other considerations.'
Mr Moffatt, who is also secretary of the employees' side of the Whitley Council public sector pay negotiating body, has previously criticised the timing of the changes. He believed they should be put on hold while the Island faced economic uncertainty and potential job losses.
The government has made the changes after consultation over the last year indicated that many thought the present rules were too restrictive.
Under the Tynwald order, 13 categories of temporary and intermittent employment will no longer require a work permit if employees do not work more than 10 days a year.
Previously, the general exemption period was three days in a lifetime.
This change will not apply to a small number of jobs, most notably in construction, where the DTI believes there is a risk of local workers or businesses being adversely affected.
International firms will be able to bring in employees from group companies outside the Island for up to 48 days.
And three further categories of permanent employment which are not time-limited are also exempted.
These include entrepreneurs who establish or relocate certain types of business on the Island.
Mr Cretney said: 'The department listened very carefully to consultees and worked hard to produce a balanced package of measures aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the Isle of Man for employers — and hence overall employment opportunities — without diminishing protection for Isle of Man workers.
'If the order had meant simply "throwing open the doors" I would not have brought it before Tynwald.'
In 2010 the DTI plans to review the Control of Employment Act, with the aim of bringing in a new bill and regulations.
The aim of the review is to ensure legislation continues to protect the Island's interests in the global economy.
For more information go to www.gov.im/dti/employmentRights/workpermits.xml
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to bizviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
I believe It is of little consequence what the legislation requires of employers; as they will continue to act as and how they wish. Those individuals who are either supportive of Mr Moffatt's views, or are ignorant of the DTI's position, will continue to be predudicial against employees who are non-Manx workers. This includes people who have recently been made redundant. Despite Mr Cretney and the DTI recognising: "the commitment and contribution they will have made to the Island." it is almost impossible for non-Manx workers who have been made redundant to find new employment. As such, I would like to suggest that anyone who has been made redundant - and can show a commitment to the island's economy - should be issued by the DTI with a blanket work permit allowing them to be employed in the same industry as they were made redundant from.
GES
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Weather for Isle of Man
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: South
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Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
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