Restrictions on EU workers' rights 'a major concern', says trade

Trade figures have said restrictions on the rights of European Union citizens and their families in the UK could be detrimental to the industry, following further detail from prime minister Theresa May on what EU workers can expect from Brexit. 

May delivered the UK’s first offer in Brexit negotiations last month. The proposals promised to guarantee the rights of three million EU nationals living in the UK, with those already residing in the UK for five years or more to be granted “settled status”, while those who have not accrued the time would be at liberty to stay on and apply once they have. However there remains particular concern for those arriving after an as-yet-unspecified "cut-off date" - which at present could be from anywhere between March this year and March 2019 - notwithstanding a two-year “grace period”.

Gordon Wise, president of the Association of Author's Agents (AAA), welcomed the fact that detail on the issue is starting to come through, but - remarking on the five minimum years necessary to obtain "settled status" - queried what would happen to the "critical" younger talent the trade relies on, and said "constructive measures" were needed to recognise their input.

"To me it seems like just the beginning of a conversation – and at last we are starting to hear something," said Wise. "But like so much in Brexit, reciprocity is going to be an important factor, and it’s also not clear to what degree each of the points in question can be addressed or guaranteed in isolation. 

"If we take the ideas put forward at face value, the first question that comes to mind is, what about the talented younger people – a critical part of our lifeblood – that may not have been ‘settled’ here for five years (and also, when is that five year point calculated from?). In the creative industries, the younger participants play an important role in terms of stimulating innovation and fresh thinking and awareness of new markets; we need constructive measures for them that recognise that input, and that facilitate continued recruitment from the EU too."

Richard Johnson, group c.e.o. of Bonnier Publishing, said restrictions on the rights of family members of EU workers was “a major concern” and called for more guarantees securing the rights of EU workers to be made.

“It’s hard to comment when there are so many details left open, but my view is, if you’re here, you’re here. I believe any EU worker at Bonnier Publishing should have exactly the same rights as the UK worker sitting at the desk next to them,” said Johnson. "Currently it’s looking as if EU workers will face more restrictive family rights post-Brexit, which is a major concern for us as an employer. We need more guarantees that the rights of our EU workers and their families will be protected.” 

Publishers The Bookseller spoke to said they were “pleased” to see a dialogue had at least started, but likewise remained concerned how restrictions could affect their ability to hire EU workers.

Adrian Soar, commercial director of Nosy Crow, took issue with anything that would affect flexibility of movement, saying it would be “detrimental” to business. "British publishers are an integral part of a global industry, and the books we publish have a global impact and global revenues. We use the skills of authors, illustrators and editors from all over the world, and employ people from many parts of Europe. Anything which affects flexibility of movement for our staff has to be detrimental to the development of our business, our ability to employ, and, in our case, to the entertainment and education of children all over the world,” he said.

Connect Books m.d. Justin Adams said: "We are pleased that the government is starting to address the future options for EU workers in the UK. As a keen employer of motivated, capable and productive workers from the EU we have been very concerned about the anxiety and uncertainty caused as a result of Brexit.  We would have preferred to have been provided this reassurance earlier and avoid the extended period of uncertainty and await a view on what this means for many of our employees without the requisite years in the UK. However we are pleased that the dialogue on this has started.

"We remain very concerned with any change that reduces our ability to find and hire workers for our business.”

Stephen Lotinga, chief executive for the Publishers Association, also welcomed the fact details were forthcoming but said there was still “a long way to go”. 

“Providing reassurance to existing staff as well as having the freedom to recruit talented people from the European Union in the future remains a top priority for the UK publishing industry,” he said. "It is good that we are starting to see some detail on how this will be achieved but there is a long way to go yet.” 

The Society of Authors was frank in its appraisal. It said the government’s proposal lacked both “clarity" and “ambition” and had the potential to negatively impact future negotiations for the rights of UK nationals living abroad. 

Nicola Solomon, SoA chief executive, said: "The Government's initial proposal doesn't appear to offer the clarity or ambition that many had hoped for. As with many working in the UK's creative industries, this will inevitably impact SoA members who were born in Europe but who now live and work in the UK. And we are every bit as concerned about the impact this paper will have on future negotiations for the rights of UK nationals now living in Europe. We have several hundred UK born members now living in France, Germany, Italy and elsewhere."

She added: "A poor deal for EU nationals living here is unlikely to translate into a good deal for British nationals living in Europe."