Immigration changes 'stealing' skills from overseas, Greens say

1.00pm

New Zealand should be developing the skills of its own unemployed rather than "stealing" skilled workers from overseas, Green Party co-leader Rod Donald said today.

Immigration Minister Paul Swain yesterday announced changes to the skilled migrant category by which potential migrants can assess their likelihood of entry to New Zealand.

Mr Swain said the "enhancements" would improve the system which had been too rigid at a time labour and skills shortages were increasing.

"It will ensure some people we need here at the moment, but are not able to get over the bar for technical reasons, can get entry."

Mr Donald told NZPA in principle the Greens supported changes that recognised immigrants' skills and experience were as important as pieces of paper displaying academic qualifications.

But there were other concerns, he said.

"Relaxing immigration rules while unemployment is still around 5 per cent is a cop out.

"The Government and employers should be investing more money in upskilling unemployed New Zealanders, rather than adopting the quick-fix option of really stealing skilled people from other countries who in many cases need those people more than we do.

"While our strategy won't solve skills shortages over night, the Government's first priority should be full employment for New Zealand workers and doing what is necessary to achieve that, rather than the easy out of immigration."

Entry for skilled workers will become easier from next month with changes to the point system that will benefit those most urgently needed here.

The Government had aimed to allow 20,000 people (successful applicants including their families) into the country under the skilled migrant category in the current financial year ending June 2005.

But just 3055 people had so far been given the green light.

Mr Swain said there was a high level of interest by potential migrants and he was confident the changes, effective from December 1, would see the target reached.

Changes included increasing the level of points allocated to skilled employment, qualifications and work experience in areas of absolute skill shortage like automotive mechanics, radiologists, electricians and speech therapists.

The definition of skilled employment would be expanded to include, for instance, police, corrections officers and drainlayers.

A broader range of qualifications which met industry needs would be recognised, including those for roofers and electrical service technicians, and points would be given for having close family support in New Zealand.

Mr Swain said New Zealand had to be more effective and efficient as it faced competition from countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

Already the minimum points required to be considered for selection in New Zealand had been brought down from 195 in February when the skilled migrant category was introduced to 100 in September.

But Mr Swain said the points would not now be lowered any further as it was important to maintain quality.

He emphasised the changes would not be at a cost of jobs for New Zealanders.

While moves were underway to upskill New Zealanders they were not yet able to catch up with the urgent needs.

A labour shortage was already the main constraint on output for one third of firms, he said.

"Our first priority will always be to get New Zealanders into work. But at four per cent unemployment, skills and labour shortages are emerging. Quality migrants can help fill those gaps."

New Zealand Immigration Institute chairman David Cooper said the changes were positive and healthy.

Changes to immigration points system:

* changes aimed to ease entry:

* extra five points for urgently needed skills

* greater recognition of experience

* highly employable applicants like nurses don't need job offer

* broader range of qualifications recognised

* close family support valued

* self-employed people encouraged to apply

National Party MP Tony Ryall said in a statement that the "chaotic" introduction of the points scheme saw New Zealand lose credibility overseas.

That was why skilled immigrant numbers had fallen so sharply, he said.

It would take more than a "swept-up advertising campaign" to reverse that, he said.

Industries facing labour shortages were hoping the changes would help attract the workers they needed.

Some told National Radio they feared the new rules would still not be enough to attract skilled workers to New Zealand.

Master Builders' Federation chief executive Chris Preston said it was taking longer to build a house than it did five years ago, due to skills shortages.

Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Alasdair Thompson said the changes could provide a boost to the economy.

"The big issue is going to be whether New Zealand is in a position to offer pay rates on the international market that will attract the people, that's always going to be an issue."

Act party deputy leader Muriel Newman said the Government should introduce a limited purposes visa to allow foreign fruitpickers to work in New Zealand.

"The minister has shown that his government is turning its back on the New Zealand horticultural sector which, in the past, has relied on migrant workers to fill seasonal labour needs -- and which has long called for more enlightened immigration policies," she said in a statement.

"I am calling on Mr Swain to show some leadership and commonsense by introducing a limited purposes visa for horticulture work. It's time for some real management in immigration."

- NZPA