Employing migrant workers seminar

Lochaber businesses are to meet later this week to discuss issues relating to the employment of migrant workers.

Fort William and District Chamber of Commerce is holding a seminar on 'Employing Migrant Workers' at the Moorings Hotel in Banavie, Fort William, on Friday 7th October.

Lynn McFarlane,  Marine Harvest, and Daniel Holder, Project Manager of the Animate Project (a strategic project dealing with migrant worker equality issues in Counties Tyrone and Armagh), will be talking through the technicalities involved in employing migrant workers, including current practices, research findings, language, legislation and support for workers.

A representative from Lochaber Citizen Advice Bureau will also be on hand to advise those attending what can be done to support migrant workers settle into the area.

A recent study by the UHI Millennium Institute has highlighted that migration has become an increasingly important issue for the Highlands and is linked to factors such as   an ageing population, decreasing fertility, unemployment and out-migration of young people.

The consequence is labour market shortages. Lochaber Enterprise is therefore endeavouring to encourage international migrant workers to create new employment opportunities, especially in the context of an enlarged Europe and increasing globalisation.

Morven Cameron, head of skills development at Lochaber Enterprise, said: "We are very pleased at the high level of interest in this event from employers. Sustained economic growth and productive employment go hand in hand. Increased labour mobility brings new opportunities as well as new uncertainties.

"Migrant workers have become an increasingly important part of the workforce within the Lochaber economy and the fact remains that vast numbers of migrant workers and employers are uninformed and ill-prepared. Particular efforts are required by both the public and private sectors to create the right conditions and improve skills so everyone can participate in and benefit from productive work."