Britain all set to change immigration system |
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Wed, 08 Mar 2006 20:25
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LONDON: The British government is planning a new immigration system based on points almost similar to the one followed by Australia. It claimed the new system is intended to tighten procedures, but several people said it tended to expose low-skilled workers to exploitation, while at the same time trigger a brain drain from the developing world.
The proposed five-tier system planned for introduction in 2008, envisages award of points to immigrants based on their skills, qualifications, age and experience, to determine whether they could be allowed into Britain and if so, for what period and in which capacity.
The top tier of the system will accommodate skilled professionals like doctors and financial experts who will be able to enter the country even in the absence of a job offer. The next three tiers will cover skilled and semi-skilled workers and students. At the lowest end of the tier will be temporary employees on working holidays, who will be allowed to stay in Britain for a prescribed period.
The government expects companies and colleges to police the system by sponsoring skilled workers and students. They will have to report to the home office when people fail to turn up and take jobs or college places or go absent for lengthy periods.
Low-skilled workers will be allowed to enter the country only when a shortage in particular job sector is declared. Such immigrants will not be allowed to bring spouses or children with them and they will have to execute a financial bond, possess a return ticket or have money docked from their pay and put in a bank in their home country to ensure that they leave Britain.
The system is apparently conceived on the premise that workers from the enlarged European Union will fill the low-skilled labour shortages. The country will not allow any unskilled migrants from developing world outside the EU.
The new system will see changes in the way overseas students enter Britain while the working holidaymakers scheme, under which more than 70,000 Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans come to Britain, will now be open to far more countries. Home office contends that research has shown that migrant workers are hard workers, more reliable and better motivated than domestic workers.
In order to contain the fears of brain drain from the developing world, the existing immigration routes to work in Britain for qualified doctors and dentists from outside the EU will be closed. All overseas medical professionals will be required to have work permits from July, ensuring that vacancies go to British or EU trained doctors first.
The current system has some 80 work and study routes of entry into Britain.
Prime minister Tony Blair said he hoped the system will make a big difference.
"We are a country that sees a tremendous net positive having people come to our country and contributing to it. At the same time, we have to protect ourselves against abuses," ha said.
Home secretary Charles Clarke said it is simpler than the existing system and will help the country combat illegal immigration.
The TUC and the employers' organisation, the CBI, have supported the proposal.
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Fingerprinting for all visa applicants by 2008 