Link work permits to skills, urges FÁS

EMPLOYMENT agency FÁS has called for a radical overhaul of the work permit system in order to better fill skills shortages with qualified immigrants.

Currently the system allows the employer of any non-EU citizen who is offered work to apply for a work permit to employ that individual.

But FÁS, in its Irish Labour Market Review 2002, has recommended a system similar to that used in Australia, which links the application to skills shortages rather than employment vacancies.

Under the proposed system workers wishing to take up a job in Ireland would be awarded set points for skills they hold. The sum of points, awarded for practical, language and educational skills, would provide for a far more targeted system and better cope with skills shortages.

According to FÁS, a similar work permit system is already in place in Australia and has allowed the authorities there to direct immigrant labour to the sectors where it is required.

The number of work permits issued to workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) more than doubled to 36,500 last year. A similar number of permits are expected to be issued to non-EEA citizens in the current year.

FÁS's Labour Market Review predicts the period 2002 to 2004 will see employment grow by just 1.5%.

FÁS director-general Rody Molloy said despite the slowdown, there are still skills shortages in some crucial areas of the economy which need to be addressed.

"In the short-term, as the demand for labour falls, we will need to adopt a more targeted approach to immigration which will focus on skilled immigrants in occupations where there are critical skills shortages," Mr Molly said.

Earlier this year IBEC highlighted problems in the current system including lengthy delays in waiting for permits and new procedures introduced in January caused widespread confusion and delays of up to 18 weeks in processing work permits. The provisions meant all applications had to be cleared by FÁS before they could go ahead.

IBEC's director of social policy, Jackie Harrison, said she would be cautious about the proposal. "I think we have to be a bit careful about taking a system that works in another country and saying it will work here," she said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment said that the department was happy with the current system and no changes were planned.