Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to exclude strike action from limits on unpaid leave for tier-2 visa migrants.

It is not the Government’s policy to prevent migrant workers from engaging in legal strike action. I am not aware of any case where a migrant worker has had their leave curtailed, or been removed, as a result of engaging in lawful industrial action.

However, to put the matter beyond doubt, we will shortly be amending the guidance and Immigration Rules for Tier 2 and 5 migrants and their sponsors. This change will make clear that there will be no immigration consequences for any migrant worker who takes part in legal strike action.

The guidance will be amended as soon as possible, and I will be amending the relevant Immigration Rule at the next available opportunity in the Autumn.