A REFORM Jersey politician has demanded reform to Jersey’s work permit system, warning it is trapping migrant workers in conditions with “elements of modern day slavery”.
While ministers say they are committed to working towards the introduction of dedicated modern-slavery legislation, Deputy Beatriz Porée is calling for more urgent action, and is asking for States Members to support a review into the feasibility of issuing work permits in the employee’s name instead of their employer and for Jersey to adopt the internationally recognised “Employer Pays Principle”, which bans recruitment fees from being charged to migrant workers.
Under current rules, permits are issued in the name of the employer, giving businesses significant control over workers’ jobs – and often their accommodation and daily lives.
“A migrant worker who comes to the Island has no ability (except for specific cases) to change their employer,” said Deputy Porée.
“They are trapped into that position, and I have spoken to many migrant workers who are too afraid to speak out, who have no options but to continue in the position they find themselves.”
Her proposal would see ministers review the feasibility of issuing permits in the employee’s name instead, while keeping strict immigration controls, visa checks and limits to specific sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and construction.
Workers would still need a confirmed job offer before arriving in Jersey.
“What the change would do is give power back to the individual, explained Deputy Porée .
“If they find themselves in a position where they are poorly treated, accommodation is not acceptable, they are asked to undertake roles outside of their contracted position, then they would have the power to change this and to apply for other roles within the same industry.
“I would like to note that all of the above examples are happening in our Island and all of these have elements of modern day slavery.”
The second part of the proposition targets recruitment fees that Deputy Porée said can leave workers in “debt bondage” – a recognised indicator of modern slavery.
She is calling for Jersey to implement the “Employer Pays Principle”, ensuring that migrant workers are not charged recruitment fees or related costs either directly or indirectly.
“The recharging of recruitment fees to migrant workers is a way of trapping them into their roles – and at odds with process found in any other employment sector,” Deputy Porée added.
She concluded that the Island must “change the entire narrative, through the rebalancing of power between the employer and the employee”.
The government confirmed this month that dedicated modern slavery legislation will be brought forward – just days after Deputy Philip Ozouf was sentenced for admitting five breaches of the Island’s immigration laws relating to the employment of Rwandan nationals at his home and business.
Ozouf’s case led to calls from across the community for a review of Jersey’s employment and safeguarding framework with strengthened legal protections for vulnerable workers.
Deputy Porée said modern slavery legislation was “long overdue”, and that work permits and recruitment costs were “two other significant elements” of the problem.
The proposition will be debated in the States Assembly at the earliest on 24 March.
