Further to our blog of 7 April 2016 in which we reported that professional contractors were generally leaning towards voting in favour of remaining in the EU we now review to see if the campaigns have alleviated experts concerns that many people did not fully understand the implications of leaving the EU and see if this has changed the contractors views prior to the referendum to be held of the 23 June 2016.
It is agreed that the position of UK contractors working within the European Economic Area will be effected if there is a Brexit.  However, the extent of this is not yet certain.  This is mainly due to the fact that it is still unknown how contractors working in the EU will be classed if this were to go ahead.
Bilateral agreements will need to be agreed on in this instance covering a wide range of areas including the following:-

  • Taxation
  • Freedom of movement
  • Capital movement
  • Employment law
  • Social security
  • Healthcare

One of the main concerns surrounding this doubt as to freedom of movement when it comes to employment in the EU is whether firms will favour EU nationals for contracting roles post a Brexit due to increased restrictions creating the need for more notice in the case of UK contractors.
As no one seems to know for sure at this point whether or not the UK will be subject to non-EU restrictions which may result in the need for vigorous paperwork concerning work permits and residency, increased bank charges for transfers to a non EU country and even possibly excess charges on flights due to exclusion from the ‘open skies agreement’ to name but a few of the possible negative drawbacks it would seem that the experts view that most people do not understand the full implications of leaving the EU despite aggressive informative campaigning still stands not due to ignorance of the facts, but more in point that the full facts are not available as of yet and therefore voters may well have to cast their vote based on conjecture.
Despite the uncertainty contractors of which the majority were previously in favour of remaining in the EU when we last reported on this are now very narrowly split with remaining in the EU maintaining a marginal lead.