Government must 'shun quick business fixes'
Posted 1 May 2008 at 10:13AM by Ian Betteridge in Doing business online
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has criticised the Government's favour of short-term solutions, using immigrant employees to fill vacancies rather than train and develop existing and future workforces.
Responding to a consultation from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the Chamber stressed that crucial recruitment and employment decisions should lie in the hands of firms themselves, not in those of government officials to dictate on behalf of businesses.
Kiran Virk, policy advisor at the Chamber, urged the Government to concentrate on long-term strategic employment to reduce the level of labour shortages: "Producing lists of shortages would help to meet the immediate needs of businesses but it is far more important and more sustainable for the local and national economy, if a greater emphasis is placed on developing and nurturing an indigenous population through a strong sense of life-long learning."
The Chamber has suggested that the Government encourage businesses to recruit from abroad if positions cannot be filled locally.
The MAC, established last year to research those areas of the economy in need of migration and those not, plans to publish a list in June highlighting occupations appropriate for employers to recruit migrants originating from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).
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Comments
2. At May 1, 2008 5:30 PM, Ian Jenkins wrote:
It seems to me that the real issuse here is being glossed over for the sake of the article I quote " The Chamber has suggested that the Government encourage businesses to recruit from abroad if positions cannot be filled locally" It really is NOT a matter of "If positions cannot be filled locally" rather lets get out there (Europe) recruit some cheap labour bring them back on a promise, stick them in hovels and make some dosh, Or haven't you noticed the lack of local advertising being undertaken for the very jobs no one allegedly wants? Shame on the lot of you!
3. At May 2, 2008 11:06 PM, Eddie Keeble wrote:
Having expressed an interest in training apprentice were contacted by at least 3 'firms' who administer placements (presumably with government funding}. The official training is 'free', (1or2 days release)but the employer has to pay the trainee of course. As the employer can expect to lose production time for 3 or 4 years whilst this training is taking place, and then there is nothing to stop said recipient moving to pastures new and paying taxes. Surely the government should be paying the employer to do effective training, after all, they will be the beneficiary of the tax income and would be paying out unemplyment benefit to the young person for a lifetime possibly. Lets get back to a properly trained indiginous workforce if its not too late, but pay the people who can do it, not the quangos.
4. At May 3, 2008 12:27 PM, Tanvir wrote:
Whether the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce likes it or not as long as they do not get off their butt and educate those fewllow citizens who would rather live on benefits and not work, we will need immigrants or else who will pay for them? Or the Birmingham chamber of commerce will donate towards the costs?
5. At May 9, 2008 10:06 AM, James wrote:
This government could not fix a bent pin. Quick fixes just upset the delicate balance of business. How can you plan forward with this government making illconceived decisions every five minutes. We need stability and much more training.
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1. At May 1, 2008 4:02 PM, Chris Sabin wrote: