Work Permitts issued By the Department of Enterprise to Walker Fire Uk

Summary

The requester asked for details on work permits issued to Walker Fire UK over five years, including checks on local labor availability and advertising. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that 15 applications were received, confirmed statutory considerations are always applied, but stated it does not hold information on other departments' involvement or enforce self-isolation rules.

Key Facts

• Fifteen work permit applications (including renewals) were received for Walker Fire UK in the last five years.
• The Department considers statutory matters such as local worker availability and economic consequences for every permit decision.
• Advertising requirements are generally mandatory but may be waived in specific minority cases.
• The Department for Enterprise has no responsibility for enforcing self-isolation rules for permit holders.
• No records were found regarding other Government Departments supporting these specific applications.

Data Disclosed

• 15
• 5 years
• 2020-03-16
• 2020-04-17
• 2017

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps

Original Request

Dear Sirs Please advise how many times over the last 5 years, the works permit division has issued work permits to Walker Fire Uk, to undertake work in the Isle of Man. On each occasion a work permit was issued , please advise if the Department took into consideration before deciding to grant a permit the following. Did the Department check that there were no suitable workers available on the Isle of Man before issuing any permits. Did the Department take into consideration any likely economic or social consequences on local companies or individuals when issuing the permits. Did the Department check as per the essential considerations that the job was advertised in the job centre. How does the Department ensure the current rules regarding self isolation with regards people coming from the United Kingdom are observed , to any individual coming from the United Kindom on a work permit. I would also ask for any relevant documents , emails ect from any Isle of Man Government Department that supported or had a part in issuing these work permits , if any should have been granted by the Department of Enterprise.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 682381) Website: www.gov.im/ded Email: anthony.walker@gov.im

Our ref: 1234081 15 April 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 16 March 2020 and which states:

"Dear Sirs 1. Please advise how many times over the last 5 years, the works permit division has issued work permits to Walker Fire Uk, to undertake work in the Isle of Man. 2. On each occasion a work permit was issued, please advise if the Department took into consideration before deciding to grant a permit the following. 3. Did the Department check that there were no suitable workers available on the Isle of Man before issuing any permits. 4. Did the Department take into consideration any likely economic or social consequences on local companies or individuals when issuing the permits. 5. Did the Department check as per the essential considerations that the job was advertised in the job centre. 6. How does the Department ensure the current rules regarding self-isolation with regards people coming from the United Kingdom are observed, to any individual coming from the United Kingdom on a work permit. 7. I would also ask for any relevant documents, emails etc. from any Isle of Man Government Department that supported or had a part in issuing these work permits, if any should have been granted by the Department of Enterprise."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested.

I have detailed below the information that is held. 1. There have been fifteen applications to the Department within the last five years, inclusive of permit renewals. 2. With regard to your points 2, 3 & 4; the Control of Employment Regulations 2017 prescribe matters that the Department shall and may consider in determining whether or not to grant or renew a work permit. In particular those matters include: “Whether there are any suitable Isle of Man workers available in the trade, occupation or profession in respect of which the application is made, having regard to: (a) Any skills, qualifications, knowledge, or experience required for the position; and (b) The importance of the position to the applicant’s undertaking.” “Any likely economic or social consequences of granting or declining the application (other than for the person concerned or any relevant person).” “Whether and how the availability of the employment has been publicised in the Island.” (Control of Employment Regulations 2017, Schedule 2, Part 1, Matters to which regard shall be had).” All of these statutory matters are considered on every occasion. 5. The regulations covering the consideration of advertising state that the Department must consider “whether and how” advertising has taken place. In a minority of cases, for reasons connected to the specifics of the application, it may be appropriate for the Department to consider whether it might be appropriate not to advertise at all.
However if advertising has taken place, or is a requirement (as in the overwhelming majority of cases) it will normally have to have taken place in compliance with the Department’s advertising policy as set out in the Guide to Work Permits, except where an alternative route has previously been agreed with the Department. 6. The Department has no responsibility for, or means of, ensuring self-isolation rules are being adhered to. You may wish to raise this question with the Isle of Man Constabulary or the Department of Health and Social Care.” 7. The Department does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find any information on other Government Departments supporting the applications. Please quote the reference number 1234081 in any future communications.

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If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely