Withdrawal of proposed migration policy

18 July 2018

The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, has released the following statement:

“Today the Council of Ministers have agreed to withdraw the proposed migration policy, which was to be debated by the States Assembly in September.
 
“Implementing a fair, robust and effective migration policy is essential for the continued economic success of Jersey, for the management of our natural resources, and is a priority for this Council of Ministers.
 
“That migration policy needs to work for our businesses, for our migrant workers, and for our wider Island community.
 
“As I outlined in my nomination as Chief Minister, I believe we need greater consultation before we proceed in debating this policy. In particular, Island businesses have concerns over the detail of the scheme, and how work permits may affect their ability to retain important members of staff. 
 
“In addition, we have the impact of Brexit to consider. While the proposals in the policy for a work permit regime would function under different Brexit scenarios, precisely how they would operate will depend on how negotiations are concluded.
 
“I have asked officials to work with States Members to establish a policy development board to provide assurance over the implementation of the policy, and to support a consultation process with industry. At the conclusion of this work, we will bring an agreed policy to the States Assembly for debate.

“I am determined that the migration policy taken by the Council of Ministers to States Assembly will be the right one, and one that has taken account of the views of all stakeholders.”