REC addresses House of Lords Select Committee on migrant workers

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has provided evidence before the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs on the economic impact of migrant workers and the industryís perspective on key areas of skills shortages.

The Select Committee comprised several leading ex-Cabinet Ministers such as former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Lamont (Norman Lamont) and industry captains including Lord Turner (Adair Turner), a past CBI Director General.

After giving oral evidence to the Committee, Tom Hadley, the RECís Director of External Relations said: ìThe recruitment industry is increasingly recognised as a key voice on a range of extremely topical employment issues such as immigration policy.

ìIndustry research and the regular feedback from recruitment professionals in the frontline of the UK labour market mean that we are in a unique position to comment. In fact being invited to give evidence before such as a high-level Select Committee is further testimony to the increasing influence and recognition the REC is achievingî.

The data generated through the REC Industry Research Unit and the monthly REC/KPMG Report on Jobs was used to highlight some of the sectors where current staff shortages have resulted in migrant workers continuing to have a positive impact on the labour market.

That migrant workers are able to not only integrate the labour market but also progress within it highlights the benefits of UKís dynamic employment model and the positive role that temporary agency work can play by often providing that crucial first stepping stone.

In response to a question on the potential exploitation and underpayment of migrant workers, the REC emphasised the industryís commitment to addressing the activities of rogue providers through its Professional Standards work and through involvement in Government initiatives such as the Vulnerable Workers Enforcement Forum.

Select Committee members were interested in whether migration is lessening the need and ëincentiveí to ensure that UK workers are equipped with the necessary skills.

The REC view is that managed migration has a key role to play but that there must also be a successful drive to provide UK workers with the kind of skills that employers are currently seeking. The recruitment industry has a key consultative role to play in this area.

The REC argued that immigration policy appears to be based on attracting only highly skilled workers. Concerns were raised from REC members specialising in sectors where overseas workers would not be able to gain work permits under the new points based system. Specific examples of workers in the social care and hospitality sectors were quoted.

The REC will continue to take forward the views and concerns of members through ongoing discussions with Government Departments and involvement in a number of Working Groups and Committees.

For further information on the Select Committee hearing and a full transcript of the evidence, please contact Jason Clayton, jason.clayton@rec.uk.com at the REC External Relations team.