Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers: What You Need to Know
After the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU), many people who work across the UK-EU border have been left in a state of uncertainty regarding their employment status. However, the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU includes provisions for the rights of frontier workers, ensuring that they are not left in a precarious situation. In this article, we’ll dive into what the Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers provisions mean and how they affect those working across the UK-EU border.
Who are Frontier Workers?
Frontier workers are people who reside in one country and work in another, crossing the border regularly for work. They may be EU citizens working in the UK, or British citizens working in the EU. Before the Withdrawal Agreement came into play, frontier workers had no clear legal status, which created uncertainty regarding their employment rights and benefits.
What is the Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers Provision?
The Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers provision is a guarantee to protect the rights of frontier workers post-Brexit. It ensures that frontier workers who were employed before December 31st, 2020, and continue to work in the same location, will be entitled to work and residency rights in their country of employment, subject to some conditions.
What are the Conditions?
To benefit from the Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers provision, frontier workers must meet certain conditions. First, they must have exercised their right to work in the country before December 31st, 2020, and continue to work in the same location. Second, they must not become unemployed for more than 12 months, which would cause them to lose their status as a frontier worker. Third, they must demonstrate that they have been working as a cross-border employee, which can be proven by showing payslips or contracts.
What Rights are Protected?
Under the Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers provision, frontier workers will maintain the right to work in their country of employment and retain their residency rights. This includes access to social security benefits, the right to reside, and the right to access healthcare. They will also continue to receive equal treatment with nationals when it comes to employment, working conditions, and social security benefits.
What About New Frontier Workers?
The Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers provision only applies to those who were employed before December 31st, 2020. Those who become frontier workers after this date will not be covered by these provisions and will need to follow the new immigration rules that apply to their situation.
In conclusion, the Withdrawal Agreement Frontier Workers provision provides some peace of mind for those who were already working as cross-border employees before Brexit. It assures them that their rights to work and reside in their country of employment will be protected, subject to some conditions. If you are a frontier worker, it is important to familiarize yourself with the conditions and ensure that you meet them to continue to benefit from the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.
