On 21 August 2002, after a year of leading the campaign to have the work permits system overhauled, the PCG convinced the Government to remove all "shortage occupations" from the IT skills shortage list.

PCG is not opposed to the issuing of work permits when there are genuine skills shortages which can not be met from within the resident labour market. However the issuing of visas for IT skills continued long after real shortages ended, and has contributed to the current high levels of unemployment and contractors unable to find work.

PCG will continue to work with Work Permits UK and other interested parties to ensure that the remaining routes for issuing "fast track visas" are not abused.

PCG is now particularly concerned about the use of "Intra- Company Transfers" (ICTs) and is campaigning to have this system tightened up also.

»



»

PCG Work Permits Position Paper

Report Fast Track Visa abuse

 


                                   © PCG Limited 2003