Fifty representatives of international employers, government ministries and diplomatic missions met recently at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to discuss access to employment of spouses and partners during an expatriate assignment.
Delegates from several ‘best practice’ countries confirmed that allowing spouses and partners to work was an integral part of their policy on managed migration and an opportunity to create a competitive and attractive climate for international investment and highly skilled, mobile employees.
Permits Foundation hopes that the common interest from both the private and diplomatic sectors will help to raise awareness with governments and that the positive experience of countries that grant work permission to accompanying partners will stimulate other countries to consider similar arrangements.