Wednesday, July 20 2005 22:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: In a move to further tighten the immigration laws, which could affect countries like India, Britain is contemplating that part of wages paid to unskilled and semi-skilled migrant workers should be compulsorily withheld until they return home.

Employers would pay part of the wages of migrants on temporary work schemes into a bank account in their home country, which the workers could only access once they had returned home.

An alternative scheme to ensure low-skilled people depart when their work permit runs out would force migrant workers to deposit a cash bond with the British authorities that would be repayable after they leave.

The Government was also considering auctioning work permits in areas where there are no skills shortages. Employers offering the highest figure would win a work permit.

The proposals are part of measures outlined in a Government consultation paper on a points-based immigration system.

The Home office paper said that the system, expected to be introduced next year, should focus on getting migrants to do key jobs that cannot be filled from the domestic labour force. In 2001-02 there were 1.2 million foreign workers in the United Kingdom.

"It should focus on the skilled workers we need most, like doctors, engineers, finance experts, nurses and teachers, and should be supported by measures to limit the impact of migration on public services and the public purse, and to manage its impact on communities," the paper said.

Under the plans, Britain would thus close the door on low-skilled workers from outside the European Union settling permanently in the country.

Only investors and skilled workers would be allowed to settle permanently after five years in the country. The unskilled would be expected to stay for short periods.

Ministers are proposing measures to clamp down on immigration abuse and to force companies, universities, colleges and even organisations involved in youth exchanges to take more responsibility for ensuring that migrants leave when their permits expire.

The new migration work scheme would have five tiers, which would replace the 50 ways that people can at present come to Britain to work and study.

Under the new proposals, every migrant except those in the high-skilled tier would need a sponsor, ranging from a college or university for students, to a minister of religion for clerics and employers for skilled and unskilled workers.