Racism a hurdle for migrants
Racism, discrimination and language barriers have been identified as some of the major hurdles facing migrants and former refugees in Nelson and Tasman district, new research shows.
The issues were highlighted in workshops attended by 120 migrants and former refugees in Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay, in which they were asked which challenges they faced settling in the region.
Issues relating to racism and discrimination came up in nine of the total of eleven workshops, said Professor Colleen Ward, who led the research by Victoria University’s Centre of Applied Crosscultural Research, contracted by the Nelson Multicultural Council.
‘‘For being different in the way they look, the way they sound, the fact that they do things differently.’’
Negative stereotypes on the basis of national background were commonly cited, with namecalling and bullying seen as significant causes of distress, the centre’s research said.
Perceived racism and discrimination led to a loss of confidence, a sense of vulnerability and feelings of not belonging, it reported.
Many participants also said they found it hard to get a job that utilised their skills, referring to a lack of recognition for overseas qualifications and experience.
‘‘They experience the job market as wanting ‘ New Zealand trained’ and ‘New Zealand experienced’,’’ Ward said. ‘‘But you can’t get New Zealand experience until you can get in [to a job] for the first time, and getting in for the first time is proving very challenging for new migrants.’’
A perception of being disadvantaged in the labour market for not knowing people, was also mentioned.
It tallied with previous research in New Zealand, Ward said.
‘‘When job applications go in with a name that doesn’t sound like local name, even with the same qualifications, that person is less likely to be employed, or seen as employable ... than compared to a local name.’’
While 60 per cent of the workshop participants were employed, migrants’ employment often didn’t match their skills, Ward said.
Of the 46 males and 74 females, the largest national groups represented were Bhutanese, followed by Colombians, Indians, Germans and Samoans.
Twenty-one per cent identified themselves as being from a refugee background. Twenty-seven per cent were students.
Language and communication was identified as the main theme of the workshops, with participants saying barriers presented difficulties in accessing health and government services, and contributed to a sense of isolation.
Fears about a loss of culture and identity were also among concerns raised.
The workshops echoed research among migrants across the country, Ward said. ‘‘The needs aren’t changing, as to whether we are getting better at addressing them, that remains a question.’’
The report recommended public events, community initiatives and better information and education as ‘‘pathways’’ to address participants’ needs.
The Nelson Multicultural Council said it initiated the research to better understand the changing landscape of migrants and ethnic minorities in the region.
The organisation’s Chairperson Luz Zuniga said partnerships with other agencies were needed, like health service providers.
More than 1500 former refugees now lived in the region.