A rise in employment tribunal claims from employees on work permits has prompted calls for stronger legal protections for some of the island’s most vulnerable workers.
The Jersey Employment and Discrimination Tribunal’s latest annual report revealed that 309 claim forms were submitted in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded and up from 286 the previous year.
Tribunal chair Advocate Dr Elena Moran said there had been “an increase in claims brought by employees on work permits”, which she said was “likely due to better awareness by these individuals of their employment rights”.
But she warned that many migrant workers remain exposed to serious financial hardship if they lose their jobs.
“Workers on work permits are in a particularly vulnerable position,” she explained. “Low wages and high travel and accommodation costs mean that foreign workers who are dismissed can end up significantly out of pocket.”
Dr Moran urged ministers to consider whether the law goes far enough to protect migrant workers.
“The government should review whether additional protections are required to safeguard these vulnerable workers,” she said.
The annual report showed that unfair dismissal claims rose from 119 in 2024 to 172 in 2025, while claims for unpaid wages rose from 81 to 109. Notice pay claims also increased from 76 to 98.
Some of the increase was linked to the collapse of Blue Islands and the Style Group, which together accounted for dozens of claims.
However, the report also highlighted wider concerns about employer behaviour, particularly around unpaid wages and deductions.
“The number of cases involving unpaid wages remains unacceptably high,” said Dr Moran.
“Instances of employers deducting tax and social security and not remitting the money to Revenue Jersey are on the increase.”
Despite such practices being illegal, the report noted there had been “no prosecutions of employers”.
“The government needs to consider whether individuals that engage in such practices should continue to be licensed to operate businesses,” added Dr Moran.
The tribunal also dealt with a growing number of discrimination cases, with disability claims remaining the most common category.
Overall, 216 discrimination claims were lodged in 2025, compared with 177 the previous year.
The report highlighted increasing awareness among parents about challenging failures to make reasonable adjustments for children in educational settings.
“There is work to be done by the Minister for Education to train schools and nurseries about their obligations under the Education Law,” the chair said.