Annex D
Letter from the Overseas Labour Service
WORK PERMIT
ARRANGEMENTS: 1998-99 SEASON
I enclose a copy of the work permit criteria
for UK clubs wishing to submit applications to Overseas Labour
Service (OLS) for the employment of overseas football players
during the 1998-99 season.
The revised document attempts to address many
of the key points which have arisen at meetings OLS have held
with representatives of the football authorities in England and
Scotland over the past year. I am very grateful for the contributions
you have made in helping to shape the revised arrangements.
You will note from reading the document that
we have made important and significant efforts to reinforce key
aspects of the work permit arrangements. In particular we felt
it would be helpful to make clear to clubs who may be considering
signing non-EEA players that any application will need to clearly
demonstrate that the individual should be of the highest standard
and capable of contributing significantly to the development of
the British game at the top level. We also thought it an appropriate
opportunity to remind clubs that before OLS will consider issuing
a work permit for a player we need to be satisfied that every
reasonable effort has first been made to recruit from within the
EEA to that position.
The revised arrangements should, of course,
be followed closely alongside the General Guide for Employers
(due to be updated itself later in the year) which is sent to
everyone requesting a work permit application form. You may also
be interested to know that it is our intention to stop issuing
the WP4 form for footballers. From a date to be announced later
all applications for overseas sportspersons will be made on form
WP3. However, for the time being football clubs should continue
to make applications using the existing forms.
Finally, may I thank you again for your continuing
assistance in helping us reach decisions on work permit applications.
This level of support from the governing bodies of a sport is
always appreciated and enables OLS to provide a more efficient
service to our customers. I know this sometimes involves people
from my team seeking information from you with somewhat tight
accompanying deadlines. As you are probably aware this is often
unavoidable and normally a consequence of applications received
from clubs where permits are being requested at very short notice.
Paragraph 8 of the revised arrangements offers some guidance on
this.
I look forward to monitoring the work permit
arrangements for football players over the coming season. Later
in the year we will be inviting you to discuss with us how things
are going generally and to rasie any issues of concern you may
have at that time about the consultation process. In the meantime
please continue to contact us straight away should you encounter
any problems.
I am copying this letter to representatives
of all the football governing bodies in England and Scotland with
whom OLS consult on work permit arrangements.
Jim Martin
Sports & Entertainments Team
Overseas Labour Service
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