Second GIUK Online Meeting of 2024

Following on from our recent update on current challenges facing German business in the UK, an issue raised by many was the problem of moving labour between UK and EU locations.

In response, we had an online meeting to discuss the challenges faced with labour mobility between the UK and Germany, chaired by our Chief Executive, Phil McClennon.  Over 20 of our members took part.

To set the Scene for the discussion, representatives from two of our member companies (BMW & DHL) presented their experiences, solutions and the remaining hurdles within the topic.

In summary, those present concluded that significant barriers still exist for moving workers between the EU and UK, which can impact talent pipelines, leadership mobility, and specialised/semi-skilled labour flexibility.  All sizes of companies struggle with the increased paperwork although visa requirements, and planning complexities for cross-border work, have a much greater impact on the efforts of small and medium sized businesses who must deploy service engineers internationally.  Members welcomed the plan for potential youth mobility schemes (under 30) between Germany-UK to partially address the talent pipeline mobility constraints.  The primary area which members see that Government can improve through policy would be to create a fast-track process for short-term specialised workers when they are needed to address peak workloads and project-specific needs.

Our Executive President, Dr Bernd Atenstaedt, has since written to the Minister of State for Industry in the Department for Business and Trade and said that fast-tack options for short-term specialised workers are needed.  He also welcomed the Youth Mobility Scheme and hopes very much this will happen soon.