Migration proposals published

17 June 2009

The Chief Minister has published a white paper on the second part of the Migration Law for the Island.
The proposals set out new controls to replace the existing Housing and Regulation of Undertakings and Development Laws, which govern access to employment and housing.

These new controls will be fairer, more effective, and more flexible, and will include:

A Names and Address Register of all residents, and a simple Registration Card
A rationalisation of the present A – H, A – J housing system
New categories of residential status that will determine access to work and housing
For business, there will be less bureaucracy and more flexibility, and easier to apply controls

The chair of the Migration Advisory Group and Assistant to the Chief Minister, Senator Paul Routier, explained: “These new controls will enhance our ability to regulate how many people can work in Jersey and how accommodation can be occupied and owned, while supporting the needs of our diverse economy. In effect, the controls will let Jersey ‘open or close the tap’ on inward migration.”

This white paper consultation runs from Wednesday 17^th June to 14th September.

Among other proposals the consultation suggests changing the terminology for categorising an individual’s status to:

Registered - for newcomers to the Island for both housing and employment
Licensed - a replacement for the current ‘j’ category status
Entitled for Work - anyone who is ‘qualified’ or has lived here for 5 years
Entitled for Housing - anyone Jersey-born who has lived here for 10 years, or is not Jersey-born but has lived here continuously for 10 years, will be able to lease or purchase any property

The Report makes a number of suggestions that would make it easier for individuals to both gain and retain their full housing and employment qualifications having left the Island.

There are also a number of specific benefits to businesses, most notably their ability to manage their licenced employees within a strict quota, rather than having to re-apply every time a post holder leaves.

The Senator added: “Balancing the competing needs of an ageing society, the desire for a prosperous diverse economy, and the importance of preserving our environment is complex. It requires great care as we seek to protect and improve our quality of life. To achieve this careful balance we need to have the best possible tools at our disposal – and that is what these proposals involve.”