Worker Registration Scheme

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The Worker Registration Scheme was set up in 2004 to allow workers from the "A8 Countries" to work in the UK. It allows the Government to be able to keep track of the way that the UK labour market is made up.

Contents 1 A8 Countries 2 Registration 3 Exemption 4 External links

[edit] A8 Countries

The A8 countries were eight of the ten countries that joined the European Union in 2004. These are:

• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia

In 2007, Bulgaria and Romania also became members of the European Union but not subject to WRS regulations. Bulgarians and Romanians still need a work permit in order to work legally in the UK

[edit] Registration

Workers from the above countries must register on the WRS scheme within a month of joining a new employer. By registering, they are able to claim some basic benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Tax Credits. However, the worker must be employed to be able to claim these benefits. If the worker is able to prove that they have worked legally for at least a 12 month period (without a break in employment of more that 30 days) then they gain the ability to claim social security benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance.

[edit] Exemption

Workers that are exempt from registering on the scheme include:

• those who are self-employed
• those who have been working legally in the UK already in the same job that they held on 1 May 2004
• those who have leave to enter on the SAWS scheme before 1 May and started working in the UK under the SAWS scheme on or after 1 May
• those who are providing services in the UK on behalf of an employer who is not established in the UK.

[edit] External links

• Working in the UK[1]