Should employers have to recruit in NZ before looking overseas?

Updated: 1:14PM Friday August 14, 2009

Immigration New Zealand said that since the Essential Skills policy came into effect last July, it had been made mandatory for officers processing work permit applications to request a labour market test to ensure there were no New Zealanders available for the vacancies.

But an increasing number of migrant workers and their employers are feeling the impact only now as permits start to expire.

Should employers have to recruit in NZ before looking overseas? Here is the lastest selection of Your Views:

babushka99 (Pakistan)
Friday August 14, 2009 I am very surprised to read how Kiwis react to protecting jobs, whilst in an upturn economy they are the first ones to hop on a boat and head out.

Its a global economy, learn to compete. Being an IT firm in Pakistan, we have an NZ firm allowing us to manage their servers/network gear remotely, because that is the business decision they are taking. The issue is that there is a severe shortage of highly skilled workers in NZ, yet here the squabbling is over sushi chefs and restaurants.

Protecting jobs via the nationalism spirit ain't going to get you far. You see an immigrant working and you wave your anti-immigration policy. The same immigrant comes on Singapore Air for a few weeks and you see a tourist with dollars - what a warped and distorted view of the world.

The end result is the same, nothing, and I stress NOTHING you will do, say or act, will stop the wave and part of being assimilated into the global competing economy. I suggest you go an read Thomas Friedman's book called "The World is Flat", it will help shape your myopic and obtuse views that you are currently airing here and help you look at the bigger picture and the role you can play in it.

WELLYRN (Te Aro)
Thursday August 6, 2009 My partner is Thai and here legally. He has yet to get a job in a Thai business where he was given a contract, minimum wage or to have PAYE paid. In his first position, a large Hawkes Bay restaurant (more than one and franchised), the owner was reported to the Dept of Labour. My partner was awarded over a thousand dollars. The owner of the rest threatened us and we were even harrassed by the Thai Embassy.

All of this was reported to many govt agencies. The amount of illegal activity within this migrant group (and others) is shocking. What is more shocking is that the government has failed to act. The amount of lost taxes, the undermining of Kiwi jobs and the exploitation of migrants is all overlooked by the govt. I wonder how many Kiwis have had to close their restaurants (loss of legal jobs and tax) because they can't compete with all the law-breaking by immigrants?

Rodney (Howick)
Thursday August 6, 2009 Kate Bennett (Auckland) With respect. A company who can't find a local for a job can't possibly hold a position open for 6 months on the possible off-chance that someone might apply locally . This just doesn't make sense and will be totally counter-productive to an expanding economy. If there really isn't someone locally available then any suitable overseas candidate should be allowed in as soon as is practically possible.

Call me Frank (Glen Eden)
Tuesday August 4, 2009 I have just been made redundant. My post-employer found that my hourly rate ($17.60/hr) had far-exceeded what he wanted to pay me. I had been with the company for 3/half yrs. He has now employed an immigrant who will accept the minimum wage as they are desperate to get ahead in this country.

Now here I am, born and raised a kiwi, as my parents were, fully qualified and experienced, sitting here typing this email. My loss? Their loss! Shame on this country, permitting employers to abuse the rights of the people who made it possible for them to have a business in the first place. I've had enough of working in this country.if I can survive on the benefit and make a bit on the side, i'll not work again. I used to care about abusing the welfare system but now I don't. This government is ripping us off. One ripoff deserves another!

jane83 (Torbay)
Tuesday August 4, 2009 Yes and if not they should be taxed higher than other companies who are helping kiwis. If your in NZ you should be promoting the local economy

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