Immigrants – the UK’s army of heroes
“They are here to take our jobs”; this phrase is often the opinion of some people in certain parts of the UK when asked what they think of immigrants.
The UK is an ideal country to work and people from all over the world do come here to work and live. However, a lot of people don’t know that immigrants coming to work in the UK are not depriving their UK counterpart.
The Resident Labour Market Test (“RLMT”)
As part of most of the process for hiring immigrants, UK employers (“sponsors”) have to conduct a Resident Labour Market Test. This is a process where the UK employers must advertise the vacant post for at least 28 days.
The RLMT is not easy and simple. Whoever is conducting the RLMT must ensure that they adhere to the Home Office’s guidance and Immigration Rules to satisfy the requirements as part of the immigrants’ recruitment process.
When the RLMT was introduced, the intention was by undertaking the RLMT, the Home Office is making sure that the UK employers have not displaced a UK individual who is perfectly capable and fit for the advertised role by offering it to a migrant.
In a way, the Home Office’s intention benefits both the UK individual and UK employers:
1. UK individual – the UK individual is prioritised by ensuring that they are considered first during the hiring process
2. UK employer – by looking to hire a UK individual first, they are potentially saving a lot of money that would have otherwise been used to pay for arranging the immigrant’s work permit visa
Some of the exemptions from the RLMT are if the job is paid more than £159,600 per year, the job is within the Home Office’s Shortage Occupation List, etc.
As one can see, immigrants who come to work in the UK must go through a rigorous process to ensure that they are fit for the vacant role in the UK.
Although the RLMT was intended to benefit both the UK domestic workers and UK employers, the government found that it was not effective and delays the visa application process.
Critically, one of the effects of Brexit will be that the government will abolish the RLMT. The date for the abolishment has not yet been confirmed.
Immigrants who come to the UK are also highly skilled workers. This is highly beneficial for the UK employers who are poised to benefit directly from their expertise, skills, and knowledge during their employment but more importantly, they will also be benefitting the UK’s economy and residents through the taxes that immigrants pay.
For example, according to The Guardian’s article in 2014, “European immigrants to the UK paid much more in taxes than they have received in benefits over the past decade, making a net fiscal contribution of £20bn, say researchers”.[1]
You can read more about the government’s move towards a ‘Skilled-based immigration system’ after Brexit via this link:
https://bararassociates.com/future-uk-skills-based-immigration-system-what-changes/
With Boris Johnson as the new prime minister of the UK, we are expecting the UK to change their approach to immigration to be stricter in line with his views. His idea of the UK having an immigration system such as the one in Australia will not only make it harder for immigrants to come to work in the UK but imposing a hard-line approach to immigration can deter immigrants from applying to work in the UK.
As the UK faces a catastrophe due to shortages in its workforce, such as the NHS where thousands of nurses and doctors are needed, one cannot help but think that is a hard-line approach to immigration is indeed the right approach for the UK’s current needs?
Should you have any questions in relation to your United Kingdom immigration matter or would you like to speak to our friendly team of immigration solicitors at Barar & Associates, please do not hesitate to contact us at barar.london@bararassociates.co.uk or call us at 020 7487 8370. You can access more information about us via https://bararassociates.com/
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/05/eu-migrants-uk-gains-20bn-ucl-study
