The government has opened an economics essay competition to all young islanders after concerns were raised over a rule that only students with the right to work in Jersey could apply.
Now, a young person who does not have the right to work in Jersey will not only be able to enter the Future Economist Essay Competition – but they will also be granted a temporary employment licence… if they win.
The change to the contest rules came after Deputy Montfort Tadier emailed ministers, drawing attention to Article 28 of the UNCRC, which states: “States Parties recognise the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity.”
He highlighted the fact that most students who may apply for the competition will have the right to work once they have completed formal education and described the requirement as “both bizarre and unnecessary”.
Deputy Tadier told the JEP: “It would be both absurd and unfair if, say, in a class with five A Level economics/business studies students, four could enter, but one could not, just because s/he had not been here for five years.
“Moreover, it would ironic if that person wrote an excellent essay arguing why ‘immigrants’ are needed to stimulate Jersey’s future economy.”
The competition was launched on 25 July and will be accepting submissions from 14-18-year-old islanders about the economic challenges facing Jersey until 21 September. The winning candidate will receive a paid internship with the Government’s Economic Unit as well as the prestigious Colin Powell award.
Following a discussion with Deputy Tadier, the Chief Economic Advisor confirmed that the competition would grant a licence temporarily to any young person who wins the competition for employment, regardless of whether they have their five years residency necessary for the right to work.
