Migrant workers' pay could be held back

Part of the wages paid to low-skilled migrant workers could be compulsorily held until they return home, under new government proposals.

Under the plans, employers would pay part of the wages of migrant workers on temporary work schemes into a bank account in their home country. The workers would only be able to access these accounts on their return home.

An alternative scheme to ensure that low-skilled migrants leave the country when their work permit expires, would oblige migrant workers to deposit a cash bond with the British authorities. This would be repayable on their departure.

The UNISON public services union has objected to the fact that this further entrenches discrimination against migrant workers.

Policy officer Dick Barry, said that the proposals would lead employers to act as immigration authorities, emphasising: "It is not their responsibility to act as an arm of the immigration service."

The proposals are part of a package of measures outlined by the government in a consultation paper on a five-tier points based migration system to replace the current system of work permits.

The system is expected to be introduced next year. Under the plans only investors with large sums of money and skilled workers would be allowed to settle permanently after five years in the country, with unskilled migrants allowed to stay for only short periods.