KEY POINTS:
Steve Cantlon, the Department of Labour's group manager for service delivery, answers questions about offshore hiring.
Q. What are some of the steps I need to go through before hiring from overseas?
A. To recruit from overseas, you need to be hiring for an occupation where there is a proven shortage of workers in New Zealand, or prove yourself that no Kiwis are available to do the job you're hiring for. If the applicant's position requires New Zealand registration, he or she will have to prove that they already hold this - or can obtain it. You will also need to prove your business complies with New Zealand employment and immigration laws.
Q. How long do I have to spend trying to hire a New Zealander first?
A. Before being able to hire an overseas worker, you may need to show you have genuinely searched for suitably qualified or trained people in New Zealand. This evidence can include proof of advertising the position here, and proof the terms and conditions match market conditions. The Department of Labour may also need to check with Work and Income and industry sources that there are no suitably qualified people in the area to carry out the job.
Q. Can I leave the correct permission up to the migrant to organise?
A. If you want to hire someone from overseas, you'll need to be heavily involved in the process. The applicant will need to provide evidence of his or her qualifications, experience fitting the job, and health and character information (they may need to submit medical and police clearance certificates).
Q. Can I advertise for jobs in other countries without clearance or permission, and what can help me recruit from overseas?
A. You can advertise overseas but to get a work permit you'll need to follow this process. NZ Recruit Me - www.nzrecruitme.co.nz - will connect you to skilled job seekers from overseas, and New Kiwis - www.newkiwis.co.nz - will link you to people already here. Some businesses choose to participate in overseas expos organised independently or through the Department of Labour. For example, in September and October 2007, the department provided support for about 15 recruitment events in the UK and Europe targeting particular occupations or industries.
Q. Are there certain scarce jobs that mean I don't have to go through as many controls before hiring?
A. The Department of Labour has lists of occupations in shortage, called the immediate skill shortage and the long-term skill shortage lists. If you want to hire a person who works in an occupation on these lists and has the required qualifications and experience, employers do not need to prove they have tried to find Kiwis to do the job. Also, seasonal jobs can be filled by working holiday-makers, or visitors who apply to vary the conditions of their permits to carry out short-term seasonal work. Horticulture and viticulture employers can hire through the recognised seasonal employer policy, which focuses on recruiting workers temporarily from the Pacific.
Q. Will it cost me much more to hire from overseas, and are there any risks?
A. Recruiting from overseas is generally more expensive but you can mitigate the costs. Use the internet to find staff but in a targeted manner, talk to your industry or employer organisation, and be upfront about what migrants can expect from life here so they are more likely to settle well and stay. If you have employed migrants and they are happy working for you, why not ask them if they have friends or relatives who have the skills and experience you need? It is your responsibility as the employer to check potential employees' credentials before offering them a job. The department may also carry out checks to ensure a work permit applicant's qualifications and work experience are genuine.
www.immigration.govt.nz
