A SCRUTINY panel has called on the government to allow returning seasonal agricultural workers to access social-security benefits.
The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, chaired by St Mary Deputy David Johnson, says that in order to make Jersey attractive to the seasonal worker, additional benefits have to be offered.
In their report, the panel say there ‘should be a measure of flexibility’ when dealing with returning seasonal workers.
‘The panel has recommended that the Social Security Minister, Deputy Judy Martin, review this policy and a system be implemented whereby seasonal workers who return following a previous, consecutive nine-month contract of employment can freeze social-security payments for the three months they are off-Island. The employees should then be able to unfreeze these on their return the following year and have access to the social-security system,’ they say.
The panel add that they were ‘disappointed’ to learn that offsets in accommodation for workers, which stood at £91 per week, had not been increased in 2022, despite a rise in the minimum wage. They say that to make Jersey an attractive place ‘additional benefits’ have to be offered.
‘This placed an extra burden on employers regarding costs as they were unable to recoup any increase in the value attributable to cost of accommodation, even though they were paying the higher wage. The panel has recommended this be reviewed and the offset increased in line with the minimum wage with immediate effect,’ they say.
They have also recommended that a ‘channel of communication’ be set up with the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service and the UK immigration service to provide employers of seasonal workers with an avenue to receive updates on the status of visa applications.
They also recommend removing the £115 work permit fee for each returning employee.
Deputy Johnson said: ‘ Implementing the recommendations outlined in our report would allow for greater flexibility and reduced costs for employees and employers, ensuring that, despite the challenges caused by Brexit and Covid-19, Jersey remains an attractive place for agricultural workers to return to work year on year.’
