Bakery has burning issue
AMt Eden bakery wants customers to lobby the Immigration Minister to scrap the proposed changes to residency rules. Olaf’s Artisan Bakery Cafe in Mt Eden has posted a notice at the entrance of the cafe saying it has shortened its opening hours because of impending rule changes.
“Unfortunately, due to the changes in the Immigration laws in New Zealand, we have to act as well,” the notice said.
“Please feel free to join our concerns and email our Immigration Minister.”
Co-owner Robert Heeps said five of his 25 staff had resigned since the announcement of the proposed changes.
“They want to move to Hamilton, Tauranga or whatever, to try to pick up extra points to get through their immigration applications before the rules change,” Heeps said.
Co-owner Olaf Blanke said he had trouble recruiting because many were now re-considering their career in hospitality, and the rules also made it difficult for him to employ staff with the skills he needs.
“We shortened our hours because we just can’t get the staff,” Blanke said.
“We just want the Immigration Minister to scrap the changes, and ask our customers to do the same.”
Many hospitality jobs face reduced pathways to residency. Immigrant workers in a number of occupations have to be paid at least $48,859 a year to earn points under the skilled migrant policy.
Although the changes do not take effect until mid-August, the Restaurant Association says the policy is already having an impact.
Its chief executive, Marisa Bidois, said many in the industry are nerv- ous and anxious about the proposed changes.
“Generally speaking the industry has been struggling with a skills shortage for over 10 years and adjustments to the status quo will impact our industry negatively,” she said.
“Many restaurant workers are now making decisions based on what they think will happen.”
Association members met Immigration NZ yesterday, and many expressed unhappiness with many aspects of the policy changes.
Immigration policy director Shane Kinley said the agency had so far received more than 60 written submissions and met with a range of groups.
“The meetings have been effective in raising awareness of the consultation and identifying issues that are likely to be raised in submissions,” he said.
Kinley said no comment will be made on the feedback until the submissions have been analysed and considered by the Minister of Immigration and final decisions made by Cabinet.