Harwood HR Solutions’ Post

#Employers who repeatedly flout visa rules or commit serious #employment breaches, such as not paying the National Minimum Wage, will be banned from hiring overseas workers in new measures to be introduced by the UK Government alongside its Employment Rights Bill. Currently, employers who break visa rules can only be sanctioned for a maximum of 12 months, but the Government intends to increase the period for repeat offences to at least 2 years. The maximum time-period of action plans for minor visa breaches will also be extended.   If you need any support or help with hiring overseas workers, I’ll bring the coffee and we can have a chat. #HR #EmploymentLaw #HRAdvice

Did you know new laws mean that an employer can be jailed or face big fines if they exploit their workers? These laws protect all migrant workers, no matter their visa status. This includes people who have a visa with work rights, an expired visa and those who are working in breach of their visa conditions. Workplace exploitation covers a range of behaviour, from underpaying workers, threatening to cancel their visa, pressuring them to accept poor living conditions. Did you know you can report workplace exploitation anonymously to either the Fair Work Ombudsman or Border Watch and reports can be made anonymously. https://lnkd.in/e8JmmnK9 https://lnkd.in/gjdDQfnC If you’re unsure if your current work conditions are ok, you can find more details on work-related offences and situations where work related exploitation might happen can be found here along with Frequently Asked Questions and Case Studies.

Employers, take note! The upcoming changes to Australia's 482 visa program are on the horizon. It's crucial to update your employment contracts to stay compliant and avoid penalties. 🔑 What to review: • Salary & allowances • Visa conditions • Performance expectations • Termination clauses Get legal advice to ensure your contracts meet the new requirements. 👉 Read more on how to protect your business: https://lnkd.in/eVYYEBgv #VisaChanges #EmploymentLaw #482Visa #Compliance #NBEmploymentLaw

Employers found to repeatedly flout visa rules or commit serious employment breaches, such as not paying the national minimum wage, will be barred from hiring overseas workers, reports John van der Luit-Drummond. https://lnkd.in/e9xNk8cN

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recently implemented a final rule to enhance protections for agricultural workers in the H-2A temporary worker visa program, effective from June 28. - This rule aims to safeguard H-2A visa holders from retaliation, bolster worker advocacy, ensure transparency in foreign labor recruitment, and strengthen enforcement measures. Notably, it facilitates labor organizing activities, improves wage payment practices, and mandates seat belts in vans transporting workers to mitigate transportation risks. Concurrently, USCIS has proposed additional regulations to fortify protections and streamline processes for H-2 visa programs. With these changes, the H-2A program undergoes significant transformation, building upon previous regulatory updates in November 2022. As businesses navigate these adjustments, Magnet HR offers tailored HR solutions to support compliance and streamline processes. (Source: SHRM.org) #DOL #H2A #USCIS #WorkerRights #LaborProtection #VisaProgram #RegulationUpdate #AgriculturalWorkers #H2Visa #EnforcementMeasures #Transparency #LaborOrganizing #WagePayment #MagnetHR

TIP: Before employing a foreign worker, consider the terms and conditions that will protect your business. For example, any contract you sign with the sponsored employee should retain your right to terminate their employment prior to the expiry of their visa. Find out more about recruiting foreign workers in the recently updated Employment Law Handbook chapter, Employing skilled foreign workers. #TuesdayTip #workingvisa #foreignworker #migration #employmentlaw #sponsor 

👀 "...While there are good reasons to oppose the exploitation of H-1Bs by big business, most critics are more concerned with creating hostility to immigration than with defending workers... Workers get championed, it seems, primarily when there are immigrants to deprecate... ...The H-1B debate does not pit the elite against the working class but rather is a tussle between two sections of the elite with different strategies for US capitalism, a debate in which the working class becomes merely a commodity to be exploited, before being discarded when no longer needed. This is true not just of America, but of similar debates in Britain and Europe over immigration, the working class and political realignment." Bold take with some strong points that are hard to disagree with. #h1bvisa #usimmigration #greencard #immigrationpolicy #immigrationreform

The Department of Homeland Security is making strides to enhance the H-2 visa programs, ensuring a better balance between the needs of U.S. businesses and the protections for workers. With streamlined processes and stronger safeguards, these changes will empower employers to fill essential seasonal roles while safeguarding the rights of both domestic and foreign workers. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gSzAGK7W

In this video, we explore how evolving immigration policies affect labor processes across various sectors. With significant changes in work visa categories, employment-based green cards, and labor regulations, industries are grappling with shifting expectations and new challenges in their workforce management. We’ll discuss how these policy changes impact skilled workers, employers, and the overall labor market. Whether you’re an employer or a job seeker, understanding these shifts is crucial to navigating the complexities of immigration and employment laws. Disclaimer: By watching our videos, you agree and understand that the information provided (even by attorneys) is not legal advice. Usage is at your own risk. #ImmigrationPolicy #LaborMarket #WorkVisa #EmploymentBasedVisa #LaborProcesses #SkilledWorkers #USWorkforce #ImmigrantWorkers #ImmigrationReform #EmploymentLaw