A bizarre move one may say as the United Kingdom Government announces the ban of more than 100 occupations from being filled by foreign workers.
The development was announced by the Home Office via its X handle on Saturday, August 30.
The government noted that the move aimed to create more opportunities for British workers while restructuring the visa system to reduce dependency on foreign labour.
The ‘X’ Message by the Home Office said, “Cutting net
migration means getting the fundamentals right and that more than 100 occupations are no longer eligible for overseas recruitment, in a bid to open up more jobs for British workers, noting that a fairer, skills-focused system is now taking shape.
Panic had gripped thousands of Nigerians working in the United Kingdom on Certificate of Sponsorship or Skilled Worker visas over the new regulations.
Some of the delisted jobs include managers and proprietors in agriculture, forestry, hospitality, and logistics.
Others include health, community, and welfare roles such as dispensing opticians, pharmaceutical technicians, youth and community workers, and counsellors.
More of the jobs removed are protective service roles like police officers; sergeant and below, fire service officers, and prison officers, as well as creative and performing arts professionals, including artists, authors, translators, actors, dancers, photographers, and interior or fashion designers among others.
This development marks the latest move by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who took office on July 5, 2024, following Labour’s landslide victory, replacing Rishi Sunak.
Critics, however, have warned that the policy could worsen labour shortages in sectors such as health and social care.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
