Migrant and Employers' Strategies Post-Brexit in an All-Island Economy

The UK's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) and the subsequent end of free movement for EU nationals has had profound consequences for labour mobility and employment dynamics across the island of Ireland. The "Migrant and Employer Strategies Post-Brexit in an All-Island Economy" (MES-AIE) project investigates the experiences, strategies, and challenges faced by EU nationals and employers in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) in response to these transformative changes. Since the EU enlargements of 2004, 2007, and 2009, migration patterns on the island have been characterised by significant labour and skills mobility, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. This mobility was crucial for addressing skills shortages and compensating for an ageing workforce, forming the backbone of an integrated labour market that spanned both jurisdictions. Brexit, however, disrupted this dynamic by imposing new immigration barriers for EU nationals in Northern Ireland. Employers now face more complex and expensive processes to recruit workers, including stricter visa requirements and increased salary thresholds for skilled worker visas. For EU nationals, the cost of visas and the bureaucratic hurdles associated with relocation have become significant deterrents, leading many to opt for opportunities in ROI, where free movement continues unabated. The MES-AIS study (2023-2025) captures the perspectives of both employers and workers. On one side, among the provisional findings, the researchers have found that employers in NI, particularly in border regions, report challenges in retaining staff; strategies to address labour shortages include attempts to recruit non-EU workers via country-specific visa schemes, enhancing local workforce participation, or recruiting ROI nationals. On the other side EU nationals articulate a sense of uncertainty and frustration. Many express concerns about the financial and bureaucratic barriers to working in NI, with some questioning the viability of staying north of the border when ROI offers greater stability and fewer restrictions. These experiences underscore a broader trend of uneven competition for labour across the island, which risks undermining the integration of the all-island economy. By examining these dynamics, the MES-AIE project provides a nuanced understanding of the post-Brexit labour market and its implications for cross-border mobility, economic integration, and workforce diversity. The research draws on qualitative interviews with employment sector representatives, employers, and EU nationals, complemented by quantitative analysis of migration trends and employment data. It highlights the pressing need for policy interventions to mitigate labour shortages, facilitate cross-border cooperation, and support the aspirations of EU nationals affected by Brexit. The goal of the MES-AIS project is to showcase the importance of fostering an inclusive and adaptable labour market that can navigate the challenges posed by Brexit while maintaining the economic and social benefits of an integrated all-island economy. The findings will inform stakeholders, including policymakers and industry leaders, on strategies to address these challenges and promote sustainable economic development in a post-Brexit context.