‘Ignorant, racist’ immigration stance angers restaurateur
A South American chef may have to leave New Zealand after failing to get a work visa because Immigration NZ said it was “not satisfied burrito, nachos, quesadilla and tortillas required the skills of a specialist chef”.
Her employer, the owner of an Auckland Latin American restaurant, has called INZ’S decision “ignorant and racist”.
A Restaurant Association survey found 78 per cent of hospitality businesses were struggling to recruit skilled workers needed to keep their businesses going.
Luis Cabrera, 40, owner of the Auckland Viaduct’s Besos Latinos Ceviche Bar, says without his chef, he would struggle to keep operating with the current hours, which could be devastating.
“We already had to close down one of our restaurants at the Elliot Stables, and if INZ continues to make it impossible for us to keep our staff than we could be in big trouble here too,” said Cabrera, who is also the head chef.
Cabrera said his restaurant served traditional South American dishes and had only sold nachos and burrito as takeaways during the lockdown.
In a letter to his chef, who did not want to be named, INZ said it was not satisfied those items, along with quesadilla and tortillas, required technical or specialist expertise expected of a chef. She was told her visa expired on July 13, and that she should arrange to leave before it expired, if not eligible for a further temporary visa.
“That view itself is so ignorant and racist, it’s just like saying Chinese dumplings do not require specialist chefs because they can be bought from the frozen section of Countdown supermarket,” he said. “This has made me so upset and angry. It is a direct insult to chefs and the cuisine from my part of the world.”
After further information, the agency accepted the restaurant used specialised cooking techniques — but still declined the chef’s work visa application.
Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said most hospitality businesses were finding skilled staff hard to get. The association was working with INZ to ensure there was an understanding of the industry.
“But, sadly, cases like Luis’ are not uncommon. Unfortunately, with no dedicated minister for hospitality, at times we battle to be heard . . . The skills shortage has long been an issue in the industry and there’s no doubt that the border closures have made this even more challenging.”
An Immigration spokeswoman said the chef had applied for a work visa under the long-term skill shortage list on February 9.
“To be granted this work visa, an individual must have the specified work experience, qualifications and occupational registration to work in an occupation on the long-term skill shortage list. The onus is on the applicant and employer to . . . demonstrate how the applicant meets the relevant immigration instructions.”
— NZ Herald