The never-ending fear that haunts Jersey's seasonal migrant workers

The Channel Island has rules that critics say legitimise a form of modern servitude — and in one case have led to tragedy, reports Orlando Crowcroft

- Orlando Crowcroft

For weeks in the run-up to her meeting with immigration officials in St Helier, her friends said Jane Kiiti had only been sleeping two hours a night.

The 52-year-old migrant worker from Kenya had lived on Jersey on and off for 20 years. She worked as a waitress at the Radisson Blu Waterfront hotel in St Helier, where the lights from the rooms are reflected in the water round the yachts in the marina. Like hundreds of other migrants, she lived on nine-month seasonal work permits, which require workers to leave for three months of the year at their own expense every year.

In October 2023, Kiiti had a meeting at the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service. She was in chronic pain following an operation on her ankle earlier that year, and friends say she was concerned about her visa status, a source of constant anxiety for her.

"It was the question she asked me all the time," said a friend, who asked not to be named. "She'd say: 'I'm not going to be allowed back.' And I'd say: 'You will, you will."

On 9 October, 2023, Kiiti attended her meeting. But 24 hours later, she had taken her own life.

Last year, there were 2,432 seasonal worker permits issued to people coming to Jersey, a number that has more than doubled since 2021. The largest groups are from India, the Philippines and Kenya.

The permits were introduced in 2000 as a way to help Jersey bring in desperately needed labour, without having to award settled status in return. Workers on other visa arrangements, such as bankers or doctors, receive residency and can buy property after 10 years.