Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Immigration thresholds to focus on skills

Immigration thresholds to focus on skills


Changes to immigration settings will help get higher skilled migrants while also safeguarding the positon of New Zealand workers, says BusinessNZ.

The Immigration Minister has announced new rules for migrants applying for New Zealand residence, including a pay threshold for higher skilled migrants.

The pay threshold, set at the median income for skilled jobs, will reduce the potential for migrants undercutting Kiwi workers’ pay, Mr Hope said.

"Employers have faced real difficulties in getting higher skilled workers and today’s changes will help get more focus on actively-sought skills.

"At the same time, proposed stand-down rules for lower-skilled migrants will reduce the potential for residence applications to be dominated by lower-skilled workers.

"There will always be a tension between the need for in-demand skills and the requirement for optimal access by Kiwis to the employment market.

"No immigration system is perfect, but the proposed changes should help get migrants who are better suited to our employment needs, while at the same time valuing the skill levels of New Zealand workers."

Mr Hope said the employment market was dynamic and constantly changing, and it was appropriate to refocus immigration settings on an ongoing basis.

"We are pleased to see that Government is keen to work with businesses on a system that responds to economic demand. It is important that immigration policy does not act as a bottleneck on job and economic growth."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mr Hope said proposed changes announced today - including pay thresholds to determine the skill levels of Essential Skill work visas and stand-down rules for lower-skilled migrants, would also reduce the potential for migrants undercutting Kiwi workers’ pay.

He said the changes to ‘pathways to residence’ for migrant workers in the South Island announced today were also a useful response to particular labour needs in the south.

BusinessNZ will contribute to the public consultation on the proposed Essential Skills rules.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.