WHAT BENEFIT CAN MIGRANT WORKERS BRING TO YOUR BUSINESS?
The UK is suffering from skills shortages in several sectors and many companies are looking to fill the gap with employees from overseas. This not only benefits businesses by expanding and growing their network with people from different countries but it also helps individuals who may have come to the UK to study or work and decide to stay and settle in a country which offers a wealth of opportunities and experiences.
As an example of the contribution to the UK economy and workforce made by overseas nationals, 315,018 visas were granted for Skilled Workers in the 12 month period ending March 2024 with a significant number of these being in the Health and Care sector as well as several other occupations including IT, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance and Hospitality.
As well as the main industries there is also something called the ‘Immigration Salary List’ which covers a number of roles which the Home Office deem as Shortage Occupations and which have the advantage of attracting a lower salary as a result. Examples include bricklayers, carpenters, roof fitters, graphic and multimedia designers and pharmaceutical and laboratory technicians.
For companies with an international presence the Global Mobility Senior or Specialist Worker visa is worth considering if the company needs to temporarily send workers to the UK for a specific purpose that cannot be done by a settled worker.
HOW CAN COMPANIES SPONSOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYEES IN PRACTICE?
Whilst it may seem overwhelming in terms of cost, process and commitment, employing non-UK nationals is not as complicated as many people think. The benefits of having a mix of nationalities and ethnicities far outweigh the negatives with foreign workers often possessing high skill sets and a strong and demonstrable work ethic which many businesses are keen to support and retain.
Whilst there has been a change in the minimum salary threshold to £38,700 for employees who are sponsored from April 4th 2024 as Skilled Workers, there are also various options available for candidates who have been in the UK prior to this period for reasons such as studying or working for UK based employers.
Once a company has been granted a sponsor licence by the Home Office they can proceed to sponsor candidates provided that the specific requirements are met and the company continues to meet the various compliance duties associated with the licence. If for any reason problems should arise with sponsoring overseas workers there are solutions and mechanisms in place which provide a degree of protection for both employers and employees. However, in the vast majority of cases the advantages of having staff from overseas who are well qualified, with a high standard of English and dedicated attitude to working and contributing to the UK economy are manifold and vital if we are to succeed in a multi global and competitive society.