The letter sent to Mrs. May says in part:

"The number of EEA workers has fallen by 26% since the Brexit referendum adding further pressure to an already tight labour market. A combination of exchange rate movements and the uncertainty facing migrants to the UK, has meant that fewer EEA workers are coming to Northern Ireland and more are leaving. Many industry sectors are now facing severe labour shortages which are critically impacting upon businesses’ ability to perform daily operations. We are appealing for your support to deliver solutions to this worsening problem."

And the petitioners requested actions as follows:

"We require regional flexibility for Northern Ireland to be developed through consultation with industry as soon as possible, with minimum salaries and quotas adapted in line with our specific regional needs.
"The forthcoming UK Government White Paper on immigration must set out how the new system can be flexible enough to meet the specific needs and urgent challenges facing the Northern Ireland economy, particularly for lower-skilled labour, including bespoke policy tools such as a dedicated Shortage Occupations List or salary threshold variations.
"Businesses in key industries across Northern Ireland’s economy – from food processing and broader manufacturing, through to haulage and hospitality – are facing severe labour shortages today. This is before changes to immigration policy as a result of Brexit. Government should therefore bring forward immediate changes to immigration rules to allow these sectors to access the full range of labour and skills they need."

Industry reaction was triggered by, among other factors, a recent report of the UK Migration Advisory Committee which proposed regulatory changes that would make it easier for "higher-skilled" wokers to come to the UK from the EU, but not for "lower-skilled" workers - a category that includes very large numbers of persons on whom the tourism and hospitality industries depend for continued operation.