3:22pm Wednesday 18th November 2009
By Phil Hill
THE amount of migrants from the European Union applying to work in the South-West has halved since 2007, according to figures released by the UK Border Agency.
With just 156,000 work permits approved in 2008, the region’s employers face a shortage of workers, with carers, farmers, hoteliers and food processors particularly affected.
Now Equality South West is running a free event to help Somerset bosses recruit and retain overseas workers.
They will learn about the new points-based immigration system, the benefits of providing English tuition to their staff and the impact of health and safety legislation.
Monika Stennett, of Taunton, who runs Equality South West’s Migrant Worker Project, said: “Many migrant workers have returned home as a result of the recession, which has left a lot employers empty-handed.
“For years they have relied on a large pool of foreign labour for this largely unskilled work, but now the pool is drying up, so what better time to help employers seek out new recruits and get the best from existing staff.
“Migrant workers contribute a huge amount to the region’s economy – and to its cultural life – and it is to everyone’s benefit they live and work in the South-West.”
More details of the event, in Glastonbury on November 26, are available from Diana.blake@equalitysouthwest.org.uk or call 01823-250836 or click on the related link on this story.
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