THERE is nothing to stop work permit-holders bringing their families to Jersey once their countries join the European Union this May.
But Senator Frank Walker, president of Policy and Resources, told the States yesterday that legislation already in place, like housing qualifications and the five-year rule, would deter many from doing so.Answering a question from Senator Paul Le Claire, Senator Walker said that a migration policy was expected to come before the States for debate in the next few months.’Given the important and wide-ranging implications of a migration policy, there is still a considerable amount of work to complete before a final report and proposition can be lodged, hopefully within the next few months,’ he said.But Senator Le Claire then asked: ‘What timetable is being proposed for the migration policy and how will this affect the Island’s position with people currently in Jersey once the 1 May deadline has passed?’Senator Walker said: ‘It would be unreasonable for anyone to expect a new migration policy to be brought into effect before 1 May.
On that day, nationals of ten new member states of the European Union will be entitled to enter the Island without permits, but they will still be subject to the same migration control that apply to all EU nationals in the Island, ie the housing regulations and the regulation of undertakings, together with the residence criteria for entitlement to social security benefits.
In this regard nothing will change.’
Article posted on 18th March, 2004 - 12.00am
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