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Migrant limits will cripple logistics, warns FTA

[ January 21, 2020   //   ]

The FTA has criticised the government’s proposal to bring forward restrictions on ‘low skilled’ EU migrants, saying it will worsen the severe labour shortage in the logistics sector. It called on the government to  reconsider its approach to ensure the sector can continue operating.

Head of skills policy Sally Gilson, called on the Prime Minister to urgently reconsider the “arbitrary qualification and salary thresholds on EU migrants” at the end of the Brexit transition period. The logistics sector is facing a severe labour shortage and, with the shortfall of warehouse staff anticipated to worsen over the next 12 months, the proposals will severely impact the industry.

According to FTA’s Logistics Skills Report 2019, EU workers currently make up 13% of the entire logistics workforce. Declining EU net migration has contributed to a 43% rise in job vacancies in the transport and storage industry over the past couple of years.

While there is likely to be provision for additional EU workers for sectors suffering from a “specific shortage” of staff, this will be only temporary.

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