The UK Migration Committee suggests giving seasonal worker visas more flexibility

Essential Notes

  1. The UK government should provide seasonal worker permits more flexibility, according to MAC’s suggestion.
  2. The UK reportedly needs foreign labor, among other things, to sustain its levels of food production.
  3. Fairer employment and pay policies for seasonal migrant workers were also suggested by MAC.


The government of the United Kingdom is advised to enhance the flexibility of the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

The UK’s agricultural sector depends more on foreign labor than any other business, thus this notion makes sense.

The Seasonal Worker Scheme is anticipated to be in place at least until 2029, having begun as a pilot program in 2019.

“Greater flexibility would enable employers to plan more efficiently and for workers to maximize their earnings without adding complexity to the route. This can be achieved by shortening the current ‘cooling-off’ period from the current six months to three months and allowing workers to work any six-month period in an individual calendar year.”
Migration Advisory Committee


The physically demanding nature of the work and the low pay in rural areas make it difficult to recruit local workers, which is one reason the UK depends on a foreign agricultural workforce.

However, MAC claims that pay disparities with less developed source nations might lure migrant laborers to seasonal agricultural employment in the UK, occasionally making it beneficial.

Fairer work and pay for seasonal workers is one of MAC’s other proposals.

“We recommend that Seasonal Workers are guaranteed at least two months’ pay in order to cover their costs in coming to the UK and reduce the risk that low-income workers are required to take.”
Migration Advisory Committee

Agricultural Workers from Outside Can Help UK Keep Food Production Levels

According to MAC, the nation’s food security would probably depend on the local production of reasonably priced food in the future due to climate change and geopolitical unpredictability on a worldwide scale.

In order to support the UK sector in maintaining food production levels in line with the government’s 2022 Food Strategy, migrant seasonal workers are therefore deemed necessary.

“Ultimately, we believe that if the government intends to maintain current levels of domestic food production, then there is a clear need for a SWS in the short-to-medium term. This will provide certainty to businesses who operate in a sector unusually reliant on migrant labor, given the lack of domestic workers and the seasonal and rural nature of the work”
Migration Advisory Committee

In addition to the previously listed suggestions, MAC advises authorities to:

  1. Assure clarity over the SWV scheme’s future.
  2. Strengthen, convey, and uphold employee rights
  3. Think about the principle of employer-pays.


Reduced Number of UK Visa Applications After Tighter Immigration Regulations


The UK strengthened several of its visa requirements pertaining to healthcare professionals and international students, among others, prior to the aforementioned proposals.


As a result, in the first quarter of 2024, fewer applications were received across the nation.

2 thoughts on “The UK Migration Committee suggests giving seasonal worker visas more flexibility
  1. Youtube To Mp3Says

    3 months ago

    Its like you read my mind You appear to know a lot about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is fantastic blog An excellent read I will certainly be back

  2. Drover SointeruSays

    2 days ago

    wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don't notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you've a great readers' base already!

Leave Comments

×

 

Hello!

Click the Contacts below to chat on WhatsApp

× How can I help you?