Government Urges Employers to Prioritize Local Workers Over Migrants

The New Zealand government has sparked significant controversy by urging employers to prioritize hiring local workers over migrant employees. During a recent conference, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that businesses should seek to employ unemployed New Zealanders before considering foreign recruits. She warned that failing to do so could result in employers losing their ability to hire overseas workers.

As the nation adjusts to changes following the reopening of borders in 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic, many migrant workers in New Zealand are facing uncertainty. A substantial number hold three-year Accredited Employment Work Visas (AEWVs) that are set to expire in the coming months. Stanford informed attendees that those who do not qualify for an extension must leave the country once their visas lapse.

The impact of this directive is particularly acute for individuals like Alvin April, a South African rubbish truck driver in Auckland. April’s visa will expire in December, forcing him to return to South Africa after three years in New Zealand. He expressed his distress over uprooting his family, sharing, “If I knew that the visa was only for three years and I had to go home, then I would have just stayed at home.”

The situation is compounded by the fact that April’s family, including his five-year-old son, has become accustomed to life in New Zealand. The prospect of returning to South Africa, a country plagued by high crime rates, weighs heavily on him.

Industry Challenges and Perspectives

Employers have voiced concerns regarding the government’s stance. Sheryll Otway, managing director of Transdev Howick and Eastern, noted that her company had opted to hire bus drivers on temporary work visas due to a lack of interest from local candidates. She stated, “We always do local first, but we’re finding that [it’s] not enough to keep the industry rolling.”

Otway argued that the commitment shown by migrant workers should not be disregarded, emphasizing that they have invested time and effort into building lives in New Zealand. She expressed frustration with the perception of migrants as disposable labor. “If you allow people to come in on a work visa, I think it has to be future-proofed,” she added.

Critics of the government’s policy, such as Sher Singh, president of the Migrants Rights Network NZ, described the directive as “deeply concerning.” Singh highlighted the sacrifices made by migrant workers, many of whom are burdened with significant debt from visa fees. He asserted that the government’s approach is fostering division between migrant workers and local communities.

“This isn’t a fight between ‘us’ and ‘them,'” Singh commented. “It’s about standing up for every worker, no matter where they were born or what kind of visa they hold.”

Balancing Domestic and Migrant Workforce Needs

Although the government maintains that local workers must be prioritized, immigration lawyer Sonny Lam believes that the intentions behind Stanford’s message are more balanced than they appear. He acknowledged the need for some criteria to be met before migrants can stay permanently in New Zealand. Lam pointed out that workers on three-year visas could potentially extend their stay if they secure higher-skilled positions.

According to Peter Elms, visa director at Immigration New Zealand, the AEWV program is designed to balance the needs of businesses while ensuring that New Zealand workers remain the priority. Employers looking to fill lower-skilled positions must engage “in good faith” with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This includes advertising positions for a minimum of 21 days for lower-skilled roles and 14 days for higher-skilled ones.

Failing to comply can result in dire consequences for employers, including loss of accreditation and rejected visa applications. Elms stressed, “While we understand the commitment employers make when hiring and the aspirations migrants have when coming to New Zealand, it’s important to remember that the AEWV is a temporary work visa.”

The government’s policy aims to address genuine labor shortages while safeguarding local job opportunities. However, as the situation unfolds, the implications for both migrant workers and employers remain a topic of intense discussion and scrutiny.