Yes, new doors are opening up for OFWs Overseas Filipino Workers

As one door closes, another one opens! So the saying goes.

But it seems the UK Government are slamming the door in the faces of loyal and hardworking Pinoys, as well as other migrants workers for instance from India and Africa, who have given their all to make a new life here.

Following the onslaught on Senior Carers last year, a number of schemes have just been “deleted” prior to the introduction of Tier 2 of the points based system, for skilled workers, in September.

In April the UK Border Agency (formerly BIA) removed several immigration categories such as writers, composers and artists, self-employed lawyers, innovators and those people here on the International Graduates Scheme, Fresh Talent and Working in Scotland Scheme. In short, precisely the sort of talented and creative people we should be encouraging to stay in the UK.

Meanwhile, thousands of Filipinos are holding their breath awaiting a decision on the fate of Domestic Workers and Work Permit holding Senior Carers, who could find themselves being dumped into Tier 3, for low skilled workers, and thus ineligible for visa renewal and possibly even indefinite leave in the future.

The Domestic Workers Concession, created by a Labour Government in 1998, allows domestic workers brought into the UK by their employers to change jobs and renew their visas. The Home Office has not yet announced exactly how the estimated 17000 workers renewing domestic visas will be treated after September 2008, but the concession could be abolished.

Senior Carers, currently allowed to switch employers under a transitional arrangement set to run until the introduction of Tier 2, are also bracing themselves for bad news. Work Permits for Senior Carers are unlikely to be renewed under PBS, leaving thousands of essential care workers facing the threat of removal.

No wonder so many Filipinos and other overseas workers are fleeing Britain for more welcoming countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States.

Unlike the UK, these countries are opening doors to nurses, skilled workers and even low skilled staff for fast food restaurants. And also unlike the UK, they encourage hardworking migrants to stay by offering permanent residency after two years or even less in some cases.

If you have any specific questions or comments, or need advice, you may email me: cbarker@immigrationmatters.co.uk

For free regular immigration updates on other stories including a change to the HC321 overstayers rule see www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

For jobs to America and Canada, see www.nursejobsamerica.com/latest_jobs.html

Cynthia Barker is a Recruitment Manager & Immigration Adviser for Bison UK and Co Author of “How 2 Come to the UK to Live Work Study or Visit”