The UK government has announced that it is currently planning on creating a short-term visa program to bring in labor from foreign countries.
Through this scheme, the country will be able to tackle labor shortages currently being experienced in the hospitality sector, without impacting the rate of the population.
As per reports, the Home Office is already negotiating with a couple of EU member states to make room for more mobility for the youth.
Through these negotiations, the UK government hopes to put forth its plans that will not have an impact on migration rates. Just last year, Britain recorded an all-time high migration rate.
New visas
With the short term visa program, young people aged between 18 and 30 will be permitted to work in the UK. They can also stay in the country for up to two years, and will not need sponsorship from their employers.
Consequently, these employees will be exempted from all salary and skill requirements that are usually applicable under the current Skilled Worker Route.
This will allow employers to implement this scheme and fill any elementary positions that they have available within their business.
If the decision is approved by the various EU member states, it would help in the recovery of the UK hospitality industry.
UK hospitality industry
In the past couple of years, the hospitality sector of the UK has been severely affected due to the pandemic and Brexit. Moreover, its standing became worse due to the overall burden of inflation on the economy.
Before Brexit, the hospitality industry of Britain used to be favored by various workers belonging to EU countrues. However, new immigration rules were implemented after the countr’s exit from EU.
As a result, people’s desire to be employed in various positions, like housekeepers, baristas, and waiters, took a hit.
Job vacancies
Despite the number of job vacanies going down in the UK hospitality industry in the previous year, it is still struggling with shortages of employees.
As per the trade body of the hospitality sector in Britain, vacancies are currently 48% higher than the levels recorded before the pandemic.
The Chair of the Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA), Raphael Herzog, said that he is open to any idea that will aid the hospitality sector in meeting staff shortages.
He further added that the government is aiming to allow the visa scheme to extend beyond EU, such as to India, and allow people to apply for roles in the hospitality sector.
According to him, the current proposals presented to the EU member states would cover various positions, such as waiters and baristas.
However, he added that plans are in the works to extend the visa program to cover therapists, chefs, room attendants, and related roles.
The current Skilled Worker route allows licensed sponsors to employ workers in the hospitality industry, but only for a limited number of roles.
These only extend to proprietors, accommodation and hotel managers, catering and restaurant managers, publicans, chefs, and bar managers.
