The news that migrants from the EU could be allowed to continue travelling and working in Britain with full citizen’s rights until 2022 comes after Theresa May suggested that free movement could still be allowed during a “period of time” after Brexit. This right to remain would stay in place during the transition period as businesses and governments implement the deal negotiated with the EU.
It has previously been suggested by EU leaders that a three-year transition period will be necessary after Brexit takes place.
Rights for EU migrants are ‘crucial’
Kate Nicholls, ALMR chief executive, has said the news represents a “very positive first step”.
“The ALMR has warned that rights for EU migrants to remain and work in the UK are crucial as they make such an important contribution and we will need to continue recruiting as the sector grows,” she said.
“We do need to remember that this is only an initial move and these plans are far from set in stone. We need further information, particularly on the proposed period of time in which migrants will be allowed to enter the UK - the Government needs to provide concrete plans and a sense of stability so that businesses can begin to plan accordingly.”
Research from the industry body shows that almost a quarter of the total hospitality and tourism workforce is made up from non-UK workers, rising to nearly 40% for eating and drinking businesses, and almost half of those come from within the EU.
Challenges for kitchen staff
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “It’s an encouraging recognition that sectors such as ours need time to adjust when it comes to recruiting staff. Around 20% of the current pub workforce is from overseas, and this figure rises to 40% plus, in metropolitan areas.
“For kitchen staff where more than one in four workers is from overseas, there are particular challenges.
“The industry is working hard on training and apprenticeships, but for the foreseeable future, we will still need staff from other countries if we are to continue to foster growth and create jobs.”
She said she was looking forward to hearing “firm proposals” from the Government over how this can be achieved, including a rapid guarantee of the existing rights of oversees employees.
More reliant on EU workers than any other industry
The triggering of Article 50 on March 29 saw industry groups restate their concerns over Brexit, including the future of beer exports, and the rights of EU nationals working in pubs.
British Institute of Innkeepers chief executive Mike Clist added: “The BII would welcome any commitment to protect workers’ rights and ways to secure the status of EU citizens in the UK. Any restrictions on EU migrant workers would have a significant impact on the ability of the sector to continue to operate and more importantly, grow.
“The licensed trade is more reliant on migrant workers than many other industries and it is estimated that migrant workers make up 24% of the total hospitality workforce.”
Clist highlighted research by People 1st estimates that the hospitality industry will need to recruit 11,000 chefs by 2024.
“We believe a sensible immigration policy is one that can respond to the pressures of filling a very large skills shortage,” he said.