If implemented, the UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme could provide employers — particularly in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and the arts — with access to a new pool of young and mobile workers without the complexity of sponsorship. The proposed scheme signals a marked softening in cross-border mobility policy and could offer important social and economic opportunities. However, implementation will depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations and political consensus within the United Kingdom.
Category: International Employment
UK Employment Tribunal Compensation Limits and Wage Increases; Neonatal Care Leave and Pay; and Ethnicity and Disability Pay Gap Reporting
The annual increases to compensation limits in the UK Employment Tribunals and the new neonatal care leave and pay rights came into force on 6 April 2025, and the annual UK wage increases came into force on 1 April 2025. In addition, the UK government has launched a consultation seeking input on measures it proposes to include in the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. The consultation is open until 10 June 2025.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
Trainee Solicitor Isabel Philips was a contributor the article.
Humanitarian Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV) Terminated
For U.S. employers, the termination means that they will no longer be able to continue employing individuals who previously provided CHNV parole documents to gain lawful employment in the United States. It is always best practice for employers to audit their I-9s periodically. If an employer has never or seldom performed internal I-9 audits, now is the time to do so.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
Department of State Updates Eligibility for Waivers of Nonimmigrant Visa Interviews
The Department of State unexpectedly updated the requirements for nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility, effective February 18. The interview waiver program (also referred to as Dropbox) allows qualified visa applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, offering a more streamlined and efficient process. These changes, which greatly limit the number of individuals eligible for visa waivers, come at the helm of President Trump’s Executive Order directing federal agencies to recommend ways to enhance screening and vetting of all visa applicants seeking admission to the United States.
What Should Be Done If an Application for UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Is Refused?
While an ETA refusal may seem like a significant setback, it does not necessarily prevent a person from travelling to the UK. Individuals who face an ETA refusal should not assume they are barred from visiting the UK. Rather, they may simply need to navigate a more detailed application process to be granted permission to travel. For those who have had an ETA refused, acting promptly and ensuring that a Visitor visa application is well-prepared will be critical to achieving a successful outcome.
Mexico’s 12 Percent Wage Hike Comes Into Effect January 1, 2025
The right to a minimum wage sufficient to meet the basic needs of workers is enshrined in the Mexican Constitution. Minimum wages in the country are set on a daily basis, ensuring workers receive a set amount for each day worked. On January 1, 2025, the Mexican minimum wage, which is set by the National Minimum Wage Commission (Comisión Nacional de los Salarios Mínimos or CONASAMI), received a considerable 12 percent increase nationwide.
With this increase, the nationwide minimum wage is now MXN $278.80 per day (or approximately USD $13.76) and the minimum wage for the Free Zone of the Northern Border (Zona Libre de la Frontera Norte or ZLFN), the area along the northern border of Mexico, which encompasses the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, is now MXN $419.88 per day (or approximately USD $20.72). The 12 percent increase will also apply to workers in 61 professions and trades who are entitled to special professional minimum wage. Specific professions impacted include construction workers, cashiers, agricultural laborers, domestic workers, and masons and bulldozer operators.
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