As globalisation and the global sourcing of IT expertise
continues to grow, the BCS is playing its part in influencing the
direction of the government's planned new managed migration
arrangements.
The Home Office is developing a points-based immigration system
for people from countries beyond the European Economic Area (EEA).
Since 2002, the BCS has been active on the sector advisory panel of
Work Permits UK, part of the Home Office Immigration and
Nationality Directorate.
The method for assessing labour market conditions and the level
of skill shortages was developed by Matthew Dixon, the BCS's
representative on the panel, and a member of its Qualifications and
Standards board and Government Relations group.
The sector panel produces recommendations to refine work permits
policy in relation to IT, covering the rules and processes under
which people from countries beyond the EEA gain access to work in
the UK.
While the progress in implementing proposals is not always as
fast as desired, the panel has made a difference, and active
involvement by the BCS in this forum, together with other bodies
like Intellect, the Department of Trade and Industry, the
Recruitment & Employment Confederation and Amicus, has provided
an important channel for BCS members' interests to be
represented.
Following initial consultations about the proposed points-based
system last year, the BCS has participated in consultations about
proposals for charging arrangements, the setting up of a migration
advisory committee and enforcement principles.
The BCS is arguing, in particular, that because the labour
markets in different sectors and occupations are so different, it
will be essential to continue the input of expertise into
government decision making processess through arrangements like the
sector panels.
The BCS has produced two offshoring trend reports, with
recommendations for BCS members. It reviews its position on
migration and work permits from time to time and contributes to
policy discussions.
If you have an opinion on the principles or implementation of
the new policy, or any concerns about any aspect of implementation
in this area, e-mail your views, after checking whether the point
is covered in the White Paper, to Matthew Dixon:
MD@iisfairfield.demon.co.uk
You can also e-mail him if you have any questions about how the
system works.
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/command-points-based-migration?view=Binary
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