Migrant Workers – Removal Of Workers Registration Scheme

Last night there were news reports that chef Gordon Ramsay was doused in petrol and held at gunpoint as he tried to uncover the dark world of illegal shark fin trading for a new TV show in Costa Rica.

He was advised to leave the country for his own safety. Back in the UK, it was announced on 21st December was the news that the Workers Registration Scheme will no longer apply to A8 workers from 30th April 2011.

Currently workers from these countries are required to register with the BIA’s WRS when they take up employment in the UK.

From 30th April 2011 workers from any of the A8 countries will be free to work anywhere in the UK without any restrictions (in the same way as UK nationals and workers from the original member of states of the EEA).

The restrictions currently applying to A2 workers, which require them to have work authorizations to work in the UK, may be removed in December 2011.

However, it’s possible that the restrictions may be retained until 2013, on the basis that the removal is likely to result in a ‘risk of detriment’ being caused by that of the labour market.

If you have any queries about migrant workers, give us a call.

Russell HR Consulting provides expert knowledge in HR solutions, employment law training and HR tools and resources to businesses across the UK.

Subscribe to our free monthly HR newsletter. Russell HR Consulting employment law newsletters are emailed automatically to our ever-growing number of subscribers every month.