FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT

                                                                                                                       PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1 September 2021

Review of Customs & Immigration policy on advertising of employment vacancies

The Immigration (General) Regulations 2021 which come into force today, 1 September 2021, strengthen the requirements for vacancies to be advertised and the resident labour market to be protected. All jobs must continue to be advertised to ensure full access for those with Permanent Residence Permits or Falkland Islands status and to protect opportunities for permanent residents.

However, there is one change that will affect migrant workers who have been employed in the same role for less than four years. In these cases, a work permit issued for less than four years can be extended up to four years. This enables the extension of that migrant worker’s contract of employment, without the need for the role to be advertised. This small change will give employers and employees a greater degree of stability. Any substantial change to the permit holder’s duties, including a promotion, would require a new work permit and the role would need to be advertised.

The current Customs and Immigration advertising policy approved by Executive Council has been in place since 2000; it sets out the advertising requirements for employers, which are needed to meet the requirements of the Ordinance.  

Following consultation with Islands employers, and timed to coincide with the implementation of the Immigration Amendments 2021, the advertising policy has been reviewed and Executive Council approved a set of recommendations on 25 August 2021.

The new advertising policy states: ‘All vacancies must be advertised at least once in a national newspaper and allow a minimum of 7 calendar days from the date of publication to receive applications. Employers are also required to advertise locally through at least one other platform/medium.’

This is the minimum requirement and, beyond this, employers are free to advertise using any medium, frequency or timescales they wish. The changes not only provide clarity around the process, but now reflect the contemporary realities of communications, advertising and recruitment in 2021. Find out more by visiting the government’s website: www.fig.gov.fk/customs