Jobserve MD Robbie Cowling has defended his decision to censor adverts that insist on candidates possessing EU work permits.

Cowling told Professional Recruiter that the policy was to ensure the site complied with UK employment regulations, which differ from those elsewhere in Europe.

Workers from non-EU countries can have leave to work in the UK, and adverts insisting on candidates holding EU permits discriminated against these applicants, he said.

Jobserve has consulted with the Commission for Racial Equality in order to comply with the legislation set out in the Race Relations Act 1976, Cowling said.

He said that his company was about to introduce a standard message about the issue that will appear on all jobs, in order to save time for candidates and advertisers, but would alter ads until then.

‘We would be liable for prosecution if we were to advertise a job based in the UK and include the statement “EU or UK work permit essential”,’ he said. ‘It would exclude anyone who has permanent leave to remain in the UK.’

He added: ‘Jobserve takes a responsible attitude to complying with our duties as a publisher. I believe this is an area where recruitment agencies add value.’