21 June 2006
An important first step is being taken in amending Jersey’s Housing Laws and policies so they support the new migration policy agreed by the States last year.
In the future, a significant proportion of J category housing consents will not have a time limit. This is because the tradition of imposing a time limit on J category consents is inconsistent with recently-introduced Employment Law, as well as being unnecessarily bureaucratic.
J category consents are issued where a locally person cannot be recruited to an essential post. The business must be one which makes an important contribution to the Island, and have a good track record in training and recruiting local people.
This change will not lead to an increase in the number of J employees, just less staff turnover.
Decisions will continue to be made after full consideration of all aspects of the application, with a focus on each business’ record in training and recruiting local people.
The move is expected to be welcomed by the business community because it will enable more certain business planning and make it possible to recruit people who would have found the past policy unacceptable, because they wanted to make Jersey their permanent home. It is also expected to create a more stable working population and reduced employee turnover for businesses.
Housing Minister, Senator Terry Le Main, said “This is an appropriate step in ensuring housing policies are consistent with other approved States policies. I believe that we are now striking the right balance between requiring business to train and employ local people, while enabling employers, not civil servants, to decide for how long an employee is essential to their business needs. I expect that this will be a helpful change in improving our overall economic situation. I also think that it will be an important factor in removing the social divide which currently exists between J category residents and others who are fully locally-qualified.”
The new policy will be applied immediately. Existing consents will only be considered for extension 18 months prior to expiry.
Anyone employee and employer wishing to know about the policy change should contact the Population Office on 448905, or visit Jubilee Wharf, 3rd Floor.
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Notes to Editors.
No embargo
· 271 J category consents were issued in 2005, of which, 44% were in the financial and legal sectors.
· At the end of 2005, 1,200 J employees lived in Jersey.
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