The United Kingdom (UK) has opened applications for the temporary visa scheme for poultry workers and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.
Last month, the UK government had said it would grant short-term work visas to foreign truck drivers and poultry workers until Christmas 2021.
Eligible persons are expected to enter and work in the UK for three months in the run-up to Christmas to provide “short-term relief for the haulage industry”.
The shortage of truck drivers in the UK has been exacerbated by the pandemic, an ageing workforce, poor working conditions, and post-Brexit immigration policy.
Grant Shapps, UK transport secretary, had said the visa scheme would ease the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s haulage and food industry.
TheCable understands that the UK government will grant temporary visas to 5,500 poultry workers and 4,700 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers who are expected to transport food goods.
WHO CAN APPLY
According to the details on the UK government’s website, HGV drivers who can transport food goods are welcome to apply.
Meanwhile, eligible workers with on-farm or off-farm poultry experience are classified as:
• butcher
• bird or game dresser
• killer and plucker
• plucker
• poulterer
• poultry processor
• poultry sticker
• trusser
• food operative
• poultry catcher or handler
• poultry vaccinator
• poultry meatpacker
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, the UK Home Office directed applicants to contact a scheme operator for the application processes.
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The four identified scheme operators include:
2. Concordia
4. Pro-Force
Interested applicants can visit the websites of the operators for more information on how to submit their details and complete the application process.
The UK government said poultry workers must apply under the temporary visa scheme by November 15, 2021 — and it will expire on December 31, 2021.
For HGV food drivers, they are expected to apply by December 1, 2021, and the visa will expire on February 28, 2022.