THE appointment of an offshore recruitment chief as chair of the Value Jersey political movement is not “particularly relevant” to the slated introduction of modern slavery legislation, the Home Affairs Minister has said.
Lee Madden, the founder of GR8 recruitment, took up the role as Value Jersey chair earlier this month following a workshop in London with political consultancy firm The Messina Group.
The businessman arrived in the position having stepped down as president of the Chamber of Commerce in June over a £5,000 donation he made to Value Jersey.
During yesterday’s States sitting, Deputy Montfort Tadier suggested that Mr Madden’s appointment renders “even more urgent” the introduction of modern slavery legislation in Jersey.
“[Value Jersey] is now chaired by an individual whose business is based on bringing migrant workers to Jersey,” he put to Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles.
“Does she think that there is an even more urgent need from government to show leadership in this area, one of which could be to bring forward modern day slavery legislation?”.
Senator Miles said in response that she is “considering the introduction of offences that will deal with modern slavery”, but dismissed Deputy Tadier’s insinuation that Mr Madden’s appointment had created “tension” within the government on the issue.
“In relation to who chairs a particular party, and I don’t think it particularly relevant in these circumstances, we have a work permit policy that we adhere to rigidly”, she stated.
Deputy Louise Doublet asked the Senator if she had a “rough timeline” on when legislation dealing with modern day slavery offences can be expected.
“My team are looking at it at the moment,” she answered. “There is a permissive extent clause in the modern slavery act in the UK and it might be possible that might be extended.
“We could only actually extend one part of that, [so] what I want to achieve is to understand where there are gaps in our legislation, particularly around penalties for modern slavery type offences.
“I’m optimistic that that work will be carried out by probably quarter three of 2027.”
Senator Miles told Express’s sister publication the JEP earlier this month that work was under way to “scope out the shape and function” of legislation to help tackle modern slavery effectively.
She explained: “Officers are in the process of undertaking a detailed piece of work, mapping the relevant areas of Jersey legislation against the function of the UK Modern Slavery Act to identify the gaps in Jersey’s existing legislative framework.
“This will help us determine exactly what additional legislation is required.”
Senator Miles did stress that a number of offences, such as offences relating to sex trafficking, already under exist under the Sexual Offences Law (2018).
She further said that migrant workers are “already subject to a number of protections under our existing employment and immigration legislation”.
