No need to worry about influx of migrants, say hospitality industry leaders

Hospitality operators should not worry about the Government’s decision to curb the influx of migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania after the two countries join the European Union in January, industry leaders said.

The controls mark a shift from the open-door policy adopted towards other eastern European states and seek to limit numbers of low-skilled migrants.

Under the restrictions, which will be reviewed annually, migrants from Bulgaria and Romania can work in Britain if they are self-employed or highly skilled, in which case they must prove they are doing jobs that cannot be filled by residents and meet tests on qualifications and earnings. 

Low-skilled workers will be limited to the food processing and agriculture sectors under a quota system.

HCIMA chief executive Philippe Rossiter said hospitality businesses should not be unduly concerned.

“The impact of these regulations will be minimal on the hospitality sector as it is recruiting sufficient labour from other Eastern European countries including Poland and Hungary,” he said.

CBI director of human resources policy Susan Anderson welcomed the announcement, saying that the number of migrant workers coming into the UK over recent years has far exceeded expectations.

"Under the Government's plans, businesses with a provable need for skilled migrant workers will still be able to hire staff from Romania and Bulgaria, and sectors that are heavily reliant on seasonal migrant workers will be able to source unskilled labour,” she said.

Employers divided over ban on eastern European migrants >>

Home secretary says Romanian and Hungarian work rights will be restricted >>

BHA is happy to welcome all skilled workers from the EU >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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