However, the Brexit Business Survey Report also indicated support among Island firms for greater ‘vetting’ of immigrants and the introduction of time-limited work permits or visas.
Altogether, 235 firms responded to the survey, which aimed
to sample opinion across all sectors. The survey’s aims were to:
- Determine the importance of visa-free business travel, the rights of EU nationals to live and work in the Island and the reasons to recruit staff from outside the Island.
- Examine perceptions of EU regulation and legislation and any barriers that currently restrict business growth.
- Explore whether Brexit may result in businesses considering relocation or reduced levels of staffing and investment in the Island.
Under current arrangements, EU nationals have freedom of movement when travelling to and from the Island, but their right to live and work here is restricted by the licensing of housing and employment regulations.
The survey report says that most businesses indicated they would would like this regime to remain in place post-Brexit.
It says: ‘Many respondents, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors took the opportunity to state how essential it was for their business to continue to employ staff from EU countries due to the current lack of local residents looking to work in their industry.
‘The most prominent suggestion by far was to keep the status quo as far as possible, with the continued free movement of EU nationals subject to Jersey’s own licensing system.’
It adds: ‘While there was recognition of the strains brought about by an expanding population, there was a far greater number of respondents asking for increased access to EU staff rather than imposing greater restrictions or controls over immigration.
‘Rather than restricting numbers, the preference was for
greater vetting of those coming into the Island and introducing time-limited work permits or visas.’
External Relations Minister Philip Bailhache said that the government needs a ‘clear understanding’ of the potential
impact of Brexit on Island businesses.
‘As well as providing an awareness of the unique challenges presented by Brexit, the responses to this business survey have helped us to identify potential opportunities and assess how the government can assist industry in accessing them,’ he said.
