Govt snubs “low-skilled migrant workers” in future immigration plans
The days of low-skilled migrant workers filling in ordinary jobs such as cafes, supermarkets, gas-stations and general retail sector are almost over in New Zealand as the government snubs offshore low-skilled migrant workers in its announcement on future immigration plans.
Delivering the much-awaited announcement on bringing forward of border reopening date to July 31, and immigration rebalancing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “New Zealand cannot return to pre pandemic trends that saw us overly reliant on growing numbers of lower-skilled workers and resulted in the increased exploitation of migrants.”
Towards this endeavour, the government is making a conscious effort to make it difficult for low-skilled (below median wages) migrant workers to get work visa and eventual permanent settlement in the country.
“A new Green List has been announced with more than 85 high skilled “globally in demand roles” such as health professionals, GP’s, nurses, midwives, trades people including engineer, geo-technicians and environmental engineers, plumbers, electricians, teachers etc.
For those profession on this high in demand list there will be a faster and simpler process for residence. It is expected that the jobs in the Green list will be of high wages (much higher than the median wages of $27.76)
From the outset this list will cover 56 roles on straight to residence pathways and 29 roles in two years work to residence pathways.”
“Simply put a doctor or engineer will be able to put a residence application as soon as they have a job offer and they decide to come to New Zealand, while a nurse or a technician will be able to apply for residence after two years of living and working in New Zealand on a work visa,” Prime Minister said.
The jobs on the green list will be reviewed after 12 months initially and then after every three years
“The introduction of green list is significant, and its purpose is simple. There are some areas where we know there are skills-gap. Giving certainty around the ability to stay if they bring in that skills has been the missing piece in our immigration system,” Prime Minister said.
"Transitional arrangement" as NZ adjusts to become high wage economy
The government will be giving some sector-wise exceptions, especially to the sectors of economy which currently have over reliance on “low-skilled migrant workers” such as hospitality to be able to employ low skilled migrant workers (below median wages) for next 9-10 months.
“For those sectors where it will take time for wages to meet median wage, we are introducing sector specific agreement to allow sectors access to some migrant workers who are paid below median wage,” Ardern said.
The sectors such as tourism and hospitality, which have endured the most brutal frontal blow from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the government will be giving exceptions [of around 9-10 months] to continue to access to low-skilled migrant workers.
Otherwise, the government is imposing an expectation that all other sectors of economy previously relying on low-skilled migrant workers will be making considerable efforts in investing in training and retraining of “local workers.”
Six months extension of visas of onshore temporary work visa holders
In addition, the government has decided to grant a six month extension of all work visa holders currently onshore in the country. This will cover 20,000 workers and their families.
“Many will receive open work rights that means they can work for any employers,” Ardern said.
The days of low-skilled migrant workers filling in ordinary jobs such as cafes, supermarkets, gas-stations and general retail sector are almost over in New Zealand as the government snubs offshore low-skilled migrant workers in its announcement on future immigration plans.
Delivering the...
The days of low-skilled migrant workers filling in ordinary jobs such as cafes, supermarkets, gas-stations and general retail sector are almost over in New Zealand as the government snubs offshore low-skilled migrant workers in its announcement on future immigration plans.
Delivering the much-awaited announcement on bringing forward of border reopening date to July 31, and immigration rebalancing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “New Zealand cannot return to pre pandemic trends that saw us overly reliant on growing numbers of lower-skilled workers and resulted in the increased exploitation of migrants.”
Towards this endeavour, the government is making a conscious effort to make it difficult for low-skilled (below median wages) migrant workers to get work visa and eventual permanent settlement in the country.
“A new Green List has been announced with more than 85 high skilled “globally in demand roles” such as health professionals, GP’s, nurses, midwives, trades people including engineer, geo-technicians and environmental engineers, plumbers, electricians, teachers etc.
For those profession on this high in demand list there will be a faster and simpler process for residence. It is expected that the jobs in the Green list will be of high wages (much higher than the median wages of $27.76)
From the outset this list will cover 56 roles on straight to residence pathways and 29 roles in two years work to residence pathways.”
“Simply put a doctor or engineer will be able to put a residence application as soon as they have a job offer and they decide to come to New Zealand, while a nurse or a technician will be able to apply for residence after two years of living and working in New Zealand on a work visa,” Prime Minister said.
The jobs on the green list will be reviewed after 12 months initially and then after every three years
“The introduction of green list is significant, and its purpose is simple. There are some areas where we know there are skills-gap. Giving certainty around the ability to stay if they bring in that skills has been the missing piece in our immigration system,” Prime Minister said.
"Transitional arrangement" as NZ adjusts to become high wage economy
The government will be giving some sector-wise exceptions, especially to the sectors of economy which currently have over reliance on “low-skilled migrant workers” such as hospitality to be able to employ low skilled migrant workers (below median wages) for next 9-10 months.
“For those sectors where it will take time for wages to meet median wage, we are introducing sector specific agreement to allow sectors access to some migrant workers who are paid below median wage,” Ardern said.
The sectors such as tourism and hospitality, which have endured the most brutal frontal blow from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the government will be giving exceptions [of around 9-10 months] to continue to access to low-skilled migrant workers.
Otherwise, the government is imposing an expectation that all other sectors of economy previously relying on low-skilled migrant workers will be making considerable efforts in investing in training and retraining of “local workers.”
Six months extension of visas of onshore temporary work visa holders
In addition, the government has decided to grant a six month extension of all work visa holders currently onshore in the country. This will cover 20,000 workers and their families.
“Many will receive open work rights that means they can work for any employers,” Ardern said.
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