Highly-qualified immigrants forced into low-paid jobs

Rodica Chelaru, a BBC correspondent in Romania, ended up working as a checkout operator in NZ. Picture / Kellie Blizard

Rusty Kambata didn't come to New Zealand to cook chickens. He came to escape overcrowding and corruption in India, and – with an MA himself – to seek better educational opportunities for his son.

But, after months of searching, the best he could find was a job at KFC.

Rusty went from being an oilfield geologist with 16 years' experience and a comfortable life to working 12-hour days, seven days a week, to make ends meet.

His story is not unfamiliar. We've all heard of the taxi driver with a doctorate in rocket science or the cleaner who was a doctor. Do they exist?

The latest Hudson recruitment survey suggests they do, particularly in Auckland, where 40 per cent of immigrants settle. Of 1705 employers surveyed, one in four said there are barriers to employing migrants but are doing nothing about them.

Some 78 per cent said non-technical skills like communication are the biggest obstacle to migrants being employed in line with their qualifications and experience.

While talkback radio callers lament the "brain drain" of smart young Kiwis overseas, employers and Government agencies are ignoring years of industry or professional experience flowing into the country.

New Zealand approved 132,360 temporary work permits in the year to June 30, up from 71,484 in 2001- 2002.

Another 51,236 people gained permanent residency, nearly 60 per cent in the skilled migrant category. Skilled migrants must pass a strict test of their qualifications and English.

Most have professions identified as being in short supply here. Still, the Hudson report found unemployment among migrant workers above 10 per cent.

Anecdotal evidence suggests "under-employment" is much higher. It took Rusty three years to find a decent job, working at an insurance company call centre – though that still falls short of his abilities.

After KFC he spent 18 months as a factory worker on $10 an hour. Frustration led to depression and strained his marriage.

'Complete waste'

At times he wished he had never come here. "It was a complete waste of my MA."

Cue Rodica Chelaru, once a BBC radio correspondent in Romania, who wants us to keep our promises.

"Once the country opens its doors to immigrants, there must be a commitment to respect what they've been promised: a secure and decent life, respect and recognition."

When Rodica arrived in 2002, she knew breaking into journalism would be near-impossible for a non-native English speaker. But she was unprepared for employers' "stubborness".

"I applied for more than 200 jobs and every time I was overqualified. Finally I went to Pak'n Save and worked as a checkout operator for six months."

Rodica and her husband, Ion, a construction engineer for 25 years, were told they should work for free to get much-needed "Kiwi experience".

They couldn't believe the unfairness. "People from New Zealand have this fear of being replaced by people who are coming from abroad which is just not true," she says.

"It has preserved a kind of behaviour that is not common in other Western countries that is a mix of provincialism, socialism and capitalism. So many people told me they are so disappointed after coming here." Rodica's husband drives a taxi.

"He is not happy. He feels frustrated, but I tell him to be patient."

Svetlana Zhadorozhanaya feels the same way. Looking back, she says her decision to move from Russia was probably wrong.

When she came with her husband and two adult children in 2004, she left a 15-year career as marketing director of a major dairy company. Her husband had been an international pilot.

Good English

Both had good English and their children took lessons before they left. "I was planning to find a job somewhere in marketing, especially in the milk and dairy industry, but I was not so lucky. It was so frustrating. It brought thoughts that there was something wrong with me. It was a disaster."

Svetlana and her husband are now considering moving to Australia. It's not that she dislikes New Zealand, but she thinks the opportunities for migrants are better across the ditch.

"Immigrants don't come here to get benefits," she says. "They come here to work hard."

Most are prepared to train once they get here and understand they may not be employed at the level they were.

The Hudson survey found we lose about 22,000 skilled migrants a year because expectations are not met. Ben Sun, from China, may turn into one of those casualties.

The 23-year-old graduated with a Unitec degree in international communications and has six months to find a job before his visa runs out.

He took courses in Maori and volunteered at his local citizens' advice bureau to get Kiwi experience. The straight A student has sent more than 60 CVs to employers. He hasn't had a reply.

"Most of the Kiwis on my course have found jobs already, but I am Chinese and it is extremely difficult." Ben wants to stay but says the barriers are stacked against "outsiders".

Progress is being made. Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said last month the focus of immigration policy had shifted from "passive acceptance to active recruitment of the skills New Zealand needs".

Perhaps. Auckland University of Technology's Dr Edwina Pio, who has spent four years researching the experiences of Indian women finding work here, says it will take a while to bridge the gap between words and images.

National MP Pansy Wong says migrant unemployment and underemployment needs addressing: "I think we need to become a bit more relaxed about people who have accents and who look slightly different."

Rusty would agree. But, after six years of ups and downs, he remains positive. "I have no regrets. Not one. This is the place for me.

EMPLOYMENT HELP

Auckland Regional Migrant Services at Three Kings holds regular workshops to give migrants the tools they need to find work. As well as English lessons, CV writing and interview skills, it works with professional groups to match qualifications with jobs including teaching, engineering and accounting. The next teacher workshop takes place in October. Phone 625 2440 or email reception@arms-rmc.org.nz to register.

FOR EMPLOYERS

www.newkiwis.co.nz advertises the skills of highly qualified "new Kiwis".The partnership between the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Immigration Service aims to link migrants' skills with employers'needs. Chamber staff are happy to conduct searches for the not so internet-savvy. Phone 0800 639 5494.

- AUCKLANDER