Review of Seasonal Workers and the Rural Economy

Examine the current 9 month work permit rule as detailed within the work permit policy and procedures to include:

• The flexibility of the current 9 month work permit rules for the agriculture industry
• To assess if there is any flexibility in the present allowance for work permits for agricultural workers to be extended, if required.
• The relationship between work visas and work permits being granted
• Assess where delays may occur in the granting of work permits and/or work visas

Review the social security system under which seasonal workers in the agricultural industry are assessed to include:

• How social security payments are calculated for the 9 month period for those working in the agricultural industry
• How the social security system for seasonal workers working in the agricultural industry is accessed.
• how the rules differ, if at all, from other seasonal workers on 9 month contracts.

​Review launched

To examine the existing system of approval of temporary work permits for seasonal workers in agriculture as detailed in the Government of Jersey's Work Permit Policy and Procedures Policy to include:

1. The examination of the 9 month seasonal route for working in agricultural and assess if it is still fit for purpose.
   
2. To assess if there is any flexibility in the present allowance for work permits for agricultural workers to be extended, if required.
   
3. Examine how work visas and work permits are issued and the reason for bottlenecks and delays and assess if these can be alleviated.
   

To examine the social security system under which seasonal workers in the agricultural industry are assessed to include:

1. How social security is calculated for seasonal workers working in the agricultural industry.
   
2. How the social security system for seasonal workers working in the agricultural industry is accessed. 
   
3. What dispensations are given, if any, to accommodate the social security payments of seasonal workers working in the agricultural industry.
   

To examine the existing system as to calculation of level of offset for provision of accommodation for workers in the agricultural industry.