Migrant butchers set to be paid more than British workers

[pellinore]

Migrant butchers could be paid more than British abattoir workers because of new immigration rules and a post-Brexit labour shortage, the meat industry has warned.

Laws introduced by the Tories that came into force in April raised the salary threshold for a skilled worker visa by more than £12,000 to £38,700.

Before the law change, anyone who was brought in was paid the same as a similarly qualified UK worker. They earn a starting wage of £26,200, the previous minimum visa threshold.

EU citizens make up 70 per cent of abattoir staff in the UK and the industry is struggling to recruit domestically.

“It forces companies in need of migrant workers to take on overseas butchers at £38,700,” The British Meat Processors Association said, adding that was a 49 per cent increase on current salary levels.

Migrant butchers set to be paid more than British workers (archive.ph)

Edited September 7 by pellinore