In the next five years the Permits Foundation plans to step up its global campaign persuading countries to give expat partners “open” permission to work. At the foundation’s annual meeting it was announced the initiative would gradually be extended to the “50 most important business destinations”.
Win-win-win situation
There is a clear business case for offering “open” permissions that would allow expat partners to work, said board member Kathleen van der Wilk- Carlton at the Permits Foundation’s international symposium in October in London. It is basically a win-win-win situation: it is good for host countries as it supports trade and investment; it helps international employers to attract and retain mobile talent; and expat partners get a chance to maintain and develop skills. It also makes it easier for the latter to return to work in their home country.
Eliminate restrictions
It’s for these reasons that the Permits Foundation will try to convince more countries to eliminate restrictions on work permits for expat partners. When the foundation started its work in 2001, only a handful of countries allowed partners to work. There are now 31.
Global Connection is a sponsor of the Permits Foundation.
