Labour leader Andrew Little has cited Chinese and Indian chefs as an example of semi-skilled migration which should be restricted.
However, immigration figures show visas granted to Chinese chefs are capped at 200 places -- under a free trade agreement signed by Labour - and it has taken years to fill these spots. In addition, one restaurant owner says NZ chefs often do not have the skills required.
Mr Little told reporters at Parliament yesterday that large inflows of semi-skilled migrants were putting pressure on jobs, especially in Auckland. The Government needed to "turn the tap down a bit" until conditions improved, he said.
Mr Little highlighted a provision in the free trade agreement with China that allowed Chinese chefs to work in this country.
"But the reality is we have big ethnic populations, certainly Indians, certainly Chinese, and I would have thought we could outsource chefs locally rather than have to rely on immigration to get them."