Migrant workers get sixmonth extension
WELLINGTON: Temporary workers whose visas were due to expire at the end of this year have had their visas extended by six months, the Government has announced.
This will benefit close to 16,500 Essential Skills and Work Residence visa holders at present in New Zealand.
Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway has also revealed the Government is shifting the standdown period by six months. This will affect 600 lowerskilled work visa holders.
This means temporary migrants will be able to remain in New Zealand for a further six months after their standdown would have taken effect.
‘‘This will provide some immediate relief and certainty for migrants and employers in the short term while they recover from the impact of Covid19 and adjust to the changing labour market conditions where more New Zealanders will be available for work,’’ Mr LeesGalloway said.
He added that migrant workers who were subject to the 12month standdown period were going to have to leave New Zealand this year.
But, as a result of the changes, the workers would now be able to stay for the duration of the extension.
He said the new rules would assist employers to make the most of the available workforce, both New Zealanders and temporary migrants in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, he urged employers to focus on longerterm workforce planning and recruitment and training of New Zealand jobseekers.
‘‘These shortterm changes give employers some time to get ready for a changing labour market where more New Zealanders will be looking for work.’’
He said the new lowskilled work visas would be granted for only six instead of 12 months.
That was because the Government’s priority was to ‘‘preserve and prioritise future job opportunities for New Zealanders’’.
It would also give the system more flexibility to respond to labour market developments.
Mr LeesGalloway said the Government was still working on a number of changes that were announced preCovid19.
These changes include a different way of defining lowerskilled/lowerpaid employment and a new process for employerassisted work visas, expected to be fully in place by mid2021.
‘‘With more New Zealanders looking for work, some employers will need to adjust to a new situation.
‘‘With the shortterm changes we are making, however, there is some leadin time for employers.’’ — The New Zealand Herald