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Migrant Workers: Employment

My honourable friend the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration (Phil Woolas) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I am announcing today that, from 14 December 2009, employers wishing to recruit a migrant under tier 2 of the points-based system will first need to advertise to jobseekers in the UK for four weeks. This strengthens the current requirement to advertise jobs for two weeks, or one week for jobs over £40,000. Since April this year, the resident labour market test (RLMT) has included a requirement to advertise skilled jobs in Jobcentre Plus, so that resident workers have a single source—their local job centre—to access all skilled vacancies. This change was proposed by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in their tier 2 report which was published on 19 August, a copy of which can be found in the House Library. On 7 September the Home Secretary announced that the Government have accepted the recommendations put forward in the report in full. The Prime Minister announced, in his speech on immigration on 12 November, that the strengthening of the resident labour market test would be introduced quickly, to better support resident workers looking for skilled jobs. The flexibility of the points-based system allows us to support UK workers and at the same time meet the recruitment needs of businesses and to support the economy. In making this change, we are using that flexibility to support businesses in two ways: First, we will only apply this change to advertising campaigns that start on or after 14 December. Businesses that have already run advertisements will not need to do so again to meet the new requirement. Secondly, while we will require all jobs to be advertised for four weeks before a migrant worker can be appointed, we will not require the four weeks to be continuous. This will mean that businesses will not need to advertise all their vacancies for four weeks on the off-chance that no suitable resident workers apply and they need to recruit a migrant worker. For example, we will allow businesses to advertise skilled jobs for two weeks initially. If a suitable resident worker applies, the business can appoint them straight away. However, if no suitable resident workers apply, the resident labour market must be tested for a further two weeks before they can appoint a migrant worker. The other changes to tier 2 recommended by the MAC will be implemented in spring 2010.