- Huw Hughes
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Proposed changes from the UK government to entry requirements for both
EU and non-EU citizens entering the country could slow the growth of its
garment sector, Globadata has warned.
From January 2021, proposed post-Brexit immigration rules would mean
low-skilled workers from the EU would be denied UK visas.
The new point-based system is looking to attract the “brightest and the
best” talent from around the world, The UK Home Office has said, but the
move poses problems for the UK’s garment sector which relies heavily on
low-skilled workers.
Hannah Abdulla, apparel correspondent at GlobalData, said in a
statement: “The Home Office has already confirmed it estimates -70 perent
of the existing EU workforce would not meet the requirements of the skilled
worker routes. That could prove problematic for the UK textile
manufacturing sector, particularly as it relies so heavily on eastern
European workers.
“With the UK looking to grow its manufacturing capability, the latest
move could result in it taking a step backwards.
“One of the worries is the demand for a formal qualification. There are
many highly-skilled workers in the sector, such as machinists, but they
don’t necessarily have the formal qualifications to prove that. And with
less than a year before the new rules come into play, UK factories are
going to struggle to train up replacements in time. Ultimately, the new
rules will limit the sector’s growth.”
Photo credit: Pexels
