Immigration news

Since 1997 there have been nine attempts in the US Senate to increase the minimum wage for working class people in America. Wednesday marked the ninth time that such a stand-alone proposal has been killed, and there have been several other failed attempts to attach such measures by amendment to other legislation.

Latvia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is becoming an increasingly important destination for British holidaymakers and is one of the most popular places for Stag Nights. The expat community in Latvia has continued to grow. Many Brits as well as people from all round the World have decided to make Latvia their home.

In the middle of a critical shortage of nursing staff in the United States, it is being alleged that major hospital chains have been conspiring to depress salaries for nurses for years. A class-action lawsuit was filed in four American cities on Tuesday claims that human resources staff illegally contacted each other and exchanged private salary information on nurses in an effort to prevent them from receiving competitive salaries.

Changes are needed to Italy's current immigration law because at present it is too difficult to gain entry to live and work in Italy, Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato said recently. Speaking before the Italy's Lower House Constitutional Affairs Committee, Amato explained that a key element in the so-called Bossi-Fini law, requiring a foreign employee to be abroad when work and residency permits are issued, was impractical and virtually impossible to enforce.

Britain has a skill shortage of engineering specialities, and it's growing. However, the supply of qualified engineers (so far) has not. Especially for the development of new and innovative technologies, this is critical problem that needs to be solved.

Recently, the shortage of medical professionals, such as doctors, dentists and nurses was abated somewhat by an intense recruiting program to draw in foreign born professionals. A similar push is on to bring in engineering professionals.

Current UK skills shortage listing

Following is a reproduction of the Home Offices current skill shortages listing. This list focuses mostly on the HSMP category, although some more general skill categories that can fall under a different visa are mentioned.

_______Work Permits (UK) Shortage Occupation List, April 2006

Engineering occupations: