You are here > Home > News
Employers relieved as non-EU worker cap frozen
HR News |
11/04/2012
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has welcomed the government's decision to freeze rather than reduce the current annual limit for non-EU workers for the next two years.
Employers will still be able to recruit skilled non-EU nationals for key positions, and increase the chances of driving export-led growth for the UK.
According to CIPD, employers particularly need to hire experienced overseas nationals for IT and engineering jobs, owing to the UK's low skills base.
The HR body said employers often recruit non-EU nationals for the knowledge they bring of their home market.
With the post-study worker route, which allows employers to recruit foreign students studying in the UK, due to be closed this month, the latest decision should help avert a potential skills shortage.
Employers questioned by CIPD said they are now likely to hire the same foreign students via the points-based immigration scheme, as they aim to keep them in the UK.
They represent a more attractive proposition than UK workers or graduates applying for the same role, they noted.
CIPD public policy adviser Gerwyn Davies said many employers will respond to the news "with a large sigh of relief".
"Frequent changes to immigration policy, that have often made with little notice or publicity, and a growing number of restrictions have caused some concern and frustration among some employers in their attempt to build a productive and growth-driven workplace," he added.
"However, this announcement offers a very robust response to earlier calls from the CIPD for greater stability, simplicity and signposting from the points-based system."
Mr Davies said employers require certainty and access to talent to help drive growth within their organisations, and the announcement delivers on both counts.
Posted by Stephen Wilkinson
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HR Recruitment Agency - Transparent Recruitment Fees Since 1999 - 12.5% Fee / 3 Month, 100% Rebate.
Sign up to our e-newsletter service to receive our headline news directly to your inbox
