Immigration hacks skills-shortage list

More than 40 jobs have been cut from Immigration New Zealand's skills-shortage list, putting the futures of thousands of migrants at risk.

Immigration head Andrew Annakin said yesterday that 44 occupations had been removed following the latest twice-yearly Labour Department review.

Occupations on the list - which now numbers 87 - do not require a labour market check.

Affected trades include bakers, sheep farm workers and numerous construction sector occupations, such as bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers and scaffolders.

Mr Annakin said the removal of these occupations did not mean employers could not recruit migrants - it would still be possible if the employer could demonstrate that there were no suitable New Zealanders available in that location to do the job.

"The number of temporary migrant workers in New Zealand will still be dependent on employer need," he said.

"What New Zealand is undergoing is not unique. We are in tune with the responses of other nations in confronting this crisis."

Mr Annakin said other OECD countries were changing their labour migration policy in a similar way to ensure locals got first priority in domestic labour markets.

"Occupations which were identified as readily trainable and those for which New Zealanders may be available were reviewed for removal," he said.

"In this time of economic uncertainty, these types of occupations were prioritised for review to ensure opportunities for New Zealanders."

But the move has worried some immigrant groups. Migrante Aotearoa national co-ordinator Dennis Maga said his group would ask Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman for interim permits to let skilled migrant workers find jobs outside of their skills and qualifications to stay on.

Mr Maga said the decision would affect temporary migrant workers seeking to renew their work permits.

"Many came to fill the skills gaps when New Zealand needed them, and overnight they are no longer needed."

He said the decision to slash occupations from the shortage list could possibly see thousands of migrant workers being sent home.

Certified Builders Association president Richard Merrifield questioned the change in policy.

"In the current economic climate, we may not have a shortage of skills in the building industry, but the reality is we do have a shortage of houses in New Zealand," he said.

"When the reality sinks in that we have to build these houses, and build them fast, where on earth are we going to find the skills from again?"

He said many skilled people had gone to Australia or left the industry through lack of work.

OFF THE LIST

New Zealand is no longer seeking skilled migrants for a range of jobs including:

* Baker.
* Bicycle mechanic.
* Bricklayer.
* Butcher.
* Carpenter.
* Crane, hoist or lift operator.
* Dental assistant.
* Drainlayer.
* Motor mechanic.
* Painter, decorator and paper hanger.
* Pig farmer.
* Plasterer.
* Scaffolder.
* Screen printer.
* Senior shepherd.
* Sommelier (restaurant wine specialist).
* Travel consultant.
* Vehicle painter.