NZ gentle on jobless migrants

Migrant workers have a harder time overseas than in New Zealand, says the Immigration Service.

In some countries, the recession has led to temporary workers being asked to leave and promise never to return, or a "drastic" slashing of skills on immigration shortage lists, it says.

Figures comparing the immigration policy responses of a dozen countries to the global economic crisis were released to the Herald ahead of a public meeting on the plight of unemployed temporary workers in Auckland tomorrow.

The meeting, at the Waitakere City Council chambers, will also launch a national petition calling for amnesty for migrant workers who have lost their jobs in the recession, and discuss ways to avoid the repatriation of those who moved to New Zealand on the work-to-residence permits.

The forum organiser, migrant worker advocacy group Migrant Action Trust, has repeatedly criticised Immigration NZ's "Kiwi-first" work policy and its treatment of temporary migrants, but the agency's head, Andrew Annakin, said New Zealand's policy response was "generally more moderate" than that of other countries.

He said unlike Britain, Spain, Ireland and Japan - which had to make "the most significant changes to lists, quotas and policy" - New Zealand was less affected by the slowdown, and was better able to control migrant inflows.

"Countries with less control over immigration flows have had to use more dramatic responses to influence the flows that they can reduce."

Mr Annakin said New Zealand's 6 per cent unemployment rate was lower than in most OECD countries, where the average was 8 per cent.

"New Zealand's approach has been to let the availability of unemployed New Zealanders and the reduction in employment manage the flow of temporary work permits, while leaving permanent highly skilled flows intact," Mr Annakin said.

"This will ensure that we still have the skills we need once we are out of recession.

"New Zealand is always going to need skilled migration, and our approach is consistent with recommendations from the OECD."

But Migrant Action Trust spokeswoman Agnes Granada said the data was just "an escape plan" by Immigration NZ to avoid "facing reality".

There are about 188,000 migrant workers on work permits, with 38,349 under the labour tested category, and many are not able to renew their permits because employers must now show that New Zealanders are unavailable - and there are more locals available now because of the recession.

"Showing how badly migrant workers are being treated overseas does not solve the problem that is happening in New Zealand," she said.

"Overseas, migrant workers are being offered incentives to leave, but here, they are stuck, and have nowhere to turn to for help."

Ms Granada said about 350 such workers from various countries had approached the trust for assistance and advice since the economic crisis began last year.

THE UNWANTED

Australia: Most occupations removed from its critical skills list, including all construction and manufacturing trades. Temporary skilled migrant visas reduced by 33 per cent.

Ireland: Only new jobs that have been advertised for two months are open to migrant workers.

Japan: If they went home and promised never to return, redundant migrant workers would be paid $3000, plus $2000 for each dependant.

Spain: Incentives for unemployed migrants who leave and not return for at least three years.

Malaysia: Plans to send 60 per cent of its 2.1 million foreign workers home and contracts are not renewed.

(Source: Immigration New Zealand)