But Deputy Jeremy Maçon says that some of these proposals were already put forward by a Scrutiny Panel more than five years ago.
When the Housing and Work law was lodged, the Panel were tasked with analysing it and coming up with recommendations.
So @jerseychamber called for a ‘sensible debate’ on Migration a while ago – with the CoM lodging the Migration policy report perhaps now is an opportune time? #jersey#migrationpolicy
— Deputy Jeremy Maçon (@DeputyMacon) December 8, 2017
He commented: “Whilst Scrutiny hasn’t been given any of the credit, several of our recommendations have been included in the new Migration Policy; work permits and photographic identity cards were amongst our recommendations in 2011 and in November 2010 another sub-panel chaired by the then Deputy Roy Le Hérissier regarding political education also recommended that more be done to educate and inform those migrating to the Island about our institutions. This has been tweaked in the Migration Policy report by using the words ‘to enhance social inclusion and to improve community integration’ of migrants and their children.
Pictured: Deputy Jeremy Macon, who says Ministers are simply re-packaging Scrutiny’s ideas.
Nonetheless, the St Saviour deputy, who stood in favour of work permits in 2008, says that he welcomes the new regulations.
“We know that population and migration are amongst the most important issues to islanders. Whilst Jersey welcomes people from other parts of the world to be part of our community as it adds to the diversity and brings in many of the skills that we need in both the public and private sectors; islanders have been calling out for a better system that regulates the flow.”
He believes the “finer details” will have to be carefully analysed in the coming weeks, and is urging islanders to get in touch with their States Members with their views.
States Members will vote on the legislation in the New Year.