Without a last minute reversal on policy, from the 1st January, 2021, British employees  such as snowsports instructors, transfer drivers, chalet hosts, nannies and bar staff, will face severe challenges obtaining seasonal work in the post-Brexit era. The impact of this goes far beyond those immediately affected and is likely have lasting implications that could massively damage the European snowsports industry as a whole.

There has been significant coverage in the UK press over the past week, with articles published in The Guardian, The Mail Online and The Times, which included this petition calling on the government to reconsider its position on seasonal workers looking for short term employment in the EU. The petition is now gaining widespread support and you can add your name by following the link below:

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

“It’s game over unless the government makes an agreement with the EU that will mean there is a way for British staff to work across Europe in the tourism industry on seasonal jobs,” said Charles Owen, director of Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT), in an interview with the Guardian earlier this week.

One way to resolve this could be through extension of the existing Tier 5 visa regime (Youth Mobility Scheme) to EU countries, something which the petition highlights, as 87% of the 25,000 people working in the EU supporting travel are aged between 18-34 yrs old.

“The impact of these new laws could be crippling to the industry as a whole”

The impact of these new laws could be crippling to the industry as a whole, not just directly impacting seasonal staff, but the rental shops, core snowboard retailers, bars, restaurants, chalets, transfer companies, snowsports schools and countless other businesses who remain reliant on British tourism for a significant share of their client base.

The drop out of seasonal staff is likely to see several business go under and increase the price of snowsports holidays for many – one of the key advantages to seasonal work is the opportunities it affords to people to live, work and train in an environment not known for its affordability or easy barrier to entry.

It takes less than a minute to sign the petition. With enough signatures, it could create a catalyst in bringing about an 11th hour change to the proposed measures, which are set to kick in from January 1st, 2021.