Community seeks solutions to migrant woes
The message was loud and clear: listen to our plea.
That was the underlying concern for scores of Indian community organisations and leaders who gathered in Auckland last week to voice their grievances to political leaders.
The Kiwi Indian Conclave 2014, organised by the New Zealand Indian Central Association, attracted more than 150 attendees at the Ellerslie Events Centre.
The issues: Migrant Indians have been facing difficulties in their adopted homeland and the organisers wanted action on their concerns from political leaders ahead of the general election in September.
All the politicians were asked for their responses on 18 different issues that directly influence Indians in New Zealand. These issues included Security concerns, Educational parity, Equal employment opportunities, Capital gains tax, International students concern, Bilateral trade, Domestic violence, Health , New immigrants, Home ownership, Overseas investment, List MPs, Voluntary retirement, Multicultural NZ, Shortage of Doctors, Superannuation, NZ as a republic and Language.
It happened for the first time in history that Kiwi Indians have come out to speak on the issues. Around 15O Kiwi Indians put forward their wish list in front of political parties. All major political parties were invited to the event, including National, Labour, Internet Mana, Green, New Zealand First and Maori Party. While NZ first and Maori parties were absent from the event, the other parties made a significant presence to the event.
Veer Khar, President of Manukau Indian Association and Chairman of NZICA, who was the main organiser of the event, says that Indian community has a participatory role in their country of adoption - New Zealand. He said, “Community has learnt how to pass their message. We want you to consider us (community people) important”.
Taking in concern the recent death of Arun Kumar, the political leaders agreed that strong actions must be taken in order to reduce such crimes and ensure a safe environment to the ethnic people.
Phill Goff, talking on the non-recognition of Indian education degrees by New Zealand employers, strongly condemned the point system of New Zealand government. He said, “You need to change the point system or you need to recognise the qualifications.”
Indian weekender regularly receives feedback from migrant who feel that they are not able to get employments even after having well recognised Indian educational degrees.
Minister of Justice Judith Collins and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi representing National party, said that many Indians are with National party and they represent community in the parliament. Collins said that their party is doing well and can do even better.
Labour party spokesperson Phill Goff said that their party will focus on security concerns. He said, “I am satisfied with the punishment policies. But I must rather stop crimes than punishing.”
Green Party spokesperson Jan Logie and Internet- Mana Party candidate Roshni sami, also addressed the issues of concern and promised better regulations to deal with the problems of the community.
The message was loud and clear: listen to our plea.
That was the underlying concern for scores of Indian community organisations and leaders who gathered in Auckland last week to voice their grievances to political leaders.
The Kiwi Indian Conclave 2014, organised by the New Zealand Indian...
The message was loud and clear: listen to our plea.
That was the underlying concern for scores of Indian community organisations and leaders who gathered in Auckland last week to voice their grievances to political leaders.
The Kiwi Indian Conclave 2014, organised by the New Zealand Indian Central Association, attracted more than 150 attendees at the Ellerslie Events Centre.
The issues: Migrant Indians have been facing difficulties in their adopted homeland and the organisers wanted action on their concerns from political leaders ahead of the general election in September.
All the politicians were asked for their responses on 18 different issues that directly influence Indians in New Zealand. These issues included Security concerns, Educational parity, Equal employment opportunities, Capital gains tax, International students concern, Bilateral trade, Domestic violence, Health , New immigrants, Home ownership, Overseas investment, List MPs, Voluntary retirement, Multicultural NZ, Shortage of Doctors, Superannuation, NZ as a republic and Language.
It happened for the first time in history that Kiwi Indians have come out to speak on the issues. Around 15O Kiwi Indians put forward their wish list in front of political parties. All major political parties were invited to the event, including National, Labour, Internet Mana, Green, New Zealand First and Maori Party. While NZ first and Maori parties were absent from the event, the other parties made a significant presence to the event.
Veer Khar, President of Manukau Indian Association and Chairman of NZICA, who was the main organiser of the event, says that Indian community has a participatory role in their country of adoption - New Zealand. He said, “Community has learnt how to pass their message. We want you to consider us (community people) important”.
Taking in concern the recent death of Arun Kumar, the political leaders agreed that strong actions must be taken in order to reduce such crimes and ensure a safe environment to the ethnic people.
Phill Goff, talking on the non-recognition of Indian education degrees by New Zealand employers, strongly condemned the point system of New Zealand government. He said, “You need to change the point system or you need to recognise the qualifications.”
Indian weekender regularly receives feedback from migrant who feel that they are not able to get employments even after having well recognised Indian educational degrees.
Minister of Justice Judith Collins and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi representing National party, said that many Indians are with National party and they represent community in the parliament. Collins said that their party is doing well and can do even better.
Labour party spokesperson Phill Goff said that their party will focus on security concerns. He said, “I am satisfied with the punishment policies. But I must rather stop crimes than punishing.”
Green Party spokesperson Jan Logie and Internet- Mana Party candidate Roshni sami, also addressed the issues of concern and promised better regulations to deal with the problems of the community.
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