Social Security Registration Cards

SOCIAL SECURITY REGISTRATION CARDS _______________

Lodged au Greffe on 2nd March 1999 by Deputy T.J. Le Main of St. Helier

______________________________

STATES OF JERSEY

STATES GREFFE

175             1 9 9 9    P . 3 1          

Price code: B

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

to charge the Policy and Resources Committee to investigate fully -

  (1 ) w hether all Employment and Social Security registration cards should bear the signature and photograph of

the holder;

  (2 ) w hether the Employment and Social Security Committee should maintain a record, including a photograph,

of all holders of registration cards, which would be available for inspection by the Police and other States' Departments;

( 3 ) w hether any individual who comes to Jersey intending to work for short periods, should be required to

register the relevant contract before commencing any work;

  (4 ) w hether registration cards should only be issued to persons who can provide proof of residence, this place of

residence to be included on the quarterly returns to the Employment and Social Security Department;

  an d to r eport back thereon to the States. DEPUTY T.J. LE MAIN OF ST. HELIER

Report

There is much concern again being currently expressed by many of our States members and by nearly all of the resident population about the lack of proper controls on persons coming to reside and work in Jersey, often on a seasonal basis, but a very high percentage remaining on a permanent basis; this for many reasons - relationships, full employment, and, above all, Jersey is a very pleasant place to live and work. My belief has not wavered, as I believe anyone who chooses to live and work in Jersey should be known to the Insular Authorities just as the resident population are known through their taxes, rates and driving licences, etc.

In 1989 I brought a proposition to this Assembly (P.43/89 and P.48/89) in relation to similar concerns as my current proposition, and halfway through the debate enough members had voiced their concerns and support for my proposition that Deputy Wavell, then Vice-President of the Defence Committee, gave an assurance to this Assembly that the Committee would undertake to review the whole question of identity cards. On that assurance being given I withdrew my proposition.

Jersey currently finds itself with the same problems as it did then, and it is quite clear that over-population and an open door policy remains still today our biggest major threat to the Island we know and love. I believe that as a start, prior to any immigration controls, i.e. border controls, work permits, etc., which the business sector always opposes, I am proposing that the Policy and Resources Committee investigate my proposal that the Insular Authorities should be aware of who these persons are wanting to live and reside in Jersey, whether it be on a seasonal or permanent basis, and who never return from whence they came.

I believe that, upon presenting themselves at the Employment and Social Security Department, applicants should have to produce official documentation or identification or references including any dependants, girlfriends/boyfriends, etc., i.e. where they came from before being granted an Employment and Social Security Card to commence employment. As part of the permission being granted, subject to satisfactory details, an applicant must have a current photograph with an adjoining signature which would form part of the Social Security Card and, within 28 working days, the recipient of the Social Security Card must produce to the Insular Authority the current residence/address where he/she is permanently living. It is my opinion that a duplicate card with photograph/signature should be kept for reference/information purposes at the Employment and Social Security Department. To be fair to everyone who seeks employment in Jersey - and we must be grateful that people do come to work and serve many of our retail industries, farming, tourism, etc. - I recognise there certainly are not enough locally residentially qualified persons for our requirements. I am also of the opinion that any individual intending to work for short periods would have to register also at Social Security in Jersey. There is evidence from the Housing, Finance and Planning and Environment Committees and other groups/people concerned at the way we are proceeding without having actual numbers of persons who come to Jersey, who they are, where they live, what contribution they make, etc. I believe that as a start my proposal would help the Housing Department - it is recommended in the Housing Committee's strategy report that all persons taking in lodgers be required to register with the Housing Department.

My proposition actually goes further and requires more information. I am well aware that there are many people who would see my proposal as an invasion of civil rights, but my opinion is that I am correct and what I am proposing will establish a firm start to collect vital information needed to formulate policies for which at present no detailed information is available. I am well aware that facilities are currently available through information technology to produce a document with the quarterly contributions form to be returned to the Employment and Social Security Department which could easily be part of the requirement to have such detailed information as seen best to achieve States social policies.

There has been much abuse of Social Security Cards over the years, and it was common practice for cards to be exchanged or sold or otherwise in pubs and building sites; and it is still easy with no checks for persons leaving the Island with five years or more residence for someone else to assume the identity of that cardholder and as long as that card or its holder are paying the contributions then no action is taken because it is assumed all is well. At present a person goes to the Employment and Social Security Department, gives his/her name and an address (which is not checked) and that person is issued with a card.

There is much dissatisfaction where it is perceived that persons living and working in Jersey do not pay tax and send all their money out of the Island and do not contribute to our tax collection system. Without proper identification a person can just give a name and address at Social Security, get a card (no photograph), work, get a tax demand and can return the tax demand as "gone away" and can at present go back to Social Security for another card with another name and address (again no checks) as Employment and Social Security are only interested in the cardholder paying contributions for pensions, sickness benefits, etc. The major advantage in having a scheme as I am proposing is that the police/customs could be given access to the records of cards/photographs/ signatures, as I believe, like them, that it would be of tremendous help tracing wanted persons and in fact combating the problems with drugs in Jersey. I see my proposals as a way and means of helping to protect the rights of our residents, who are quite rightly seeking an end to over-population, housing crisis for our people and the right to maintain control of our future. If you are an honest person you have nothing to fear from my proposition. And finally, my proposition gives the States for the first time the opportunity to have the full facts gathered to formulate an immigration policy and control and protect the future for our permanent residents and their families. I believe that in implementing my proposals it will greatly benefit any immigration/residential/occupancy controls that might be implemented in the future.

The people of Jersey want the States to act and I believe this is a major step forward.