Immigration news

The UK 'shortage list' for work permits has been updated. It now includes dieticians, and all categories of registered nurses and midwives.

1st August 2001 marks the first anniversary of the GermanGreen Card initiative. The programme, launched by Federal ChancellorSchroder, was designed to streamline and speed up the process of bringing innon-EEA nationals to work as ITech professionals in Germany, and thus help tomake up the shortfall of workers in this sector.

The German government have taken this anniversary as a chanceto reflect on the interim results of the special programme, and to remark on itssuccess.

Following the agreement by Prime Ministers Blair and Mori the UK-Japan YouthExchange scheme will begin in April 2001.

It will provide opportunities for young British and Japanese people todevelop a fuller understanding of the others' country, culture, people, societyand way of life through an extended stay. The Scheme will permit young Britishpeople between the ages of 18 and 25* to spend up to a year in Japan and youngJapanese to spend a similar length of time in Britain.

Indian Software Exports logs Rs. 8,600 crore turnover in the First Quarterof 2001- 02

NASSCOM, the representative body of the Indian IT Software and Serviceindustry, this week announced the results of its performance survey for thefirst quarter of the financial year 2001-02. The survey revealed that ITsoftware and service exports during this time generated revenues of Rs. 8,600crore (£1.2 billion) against Rs. 5,670 crore (£830 million) for thecorresponding period last year.

Troubled times

While news reports indicate that theviolence in Zimbabwe has calmed down and has moved to isolated troublespots over the past few weeks, many people in Zimbabwe feel that theirfuture now lies abroad. This feeling is not only prevalent among thewhite farming community with links to the old Rhodesia, but is true ofa wide cross section of the population. When farms are being occupied,farm workers are also affected. In the wider community, opponents ofthe ruling Zanu PF party may feel that they are in danger, and may befearful of the repercussions which may come from another Mugabeelection victory.

Following the recent break up of the Department for Education and Employment, 'workpermits UK', the government body who issue work permits, will now become part of the Home Office, and will be within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.