Jobless migrants urge Govt to act on economic report

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman will be asked to look at a Labour Department report on immigration's impact on the economy to support a call for amnesty for migrant workers who have lost their jobs in the recession.

At a meeting tomorrow, the Migrant Action Trust will present a petition, signed by 2000, for Labour and Green Party MPs to take to Parliament after failing to convince Dr Coleman with a position paper in July.

"Dr Coleman's response has been very cold towards the plight of migrant workers, and it has been very disappointing," said trust spokesman Mel Libre.

"What he has to do is look at his own department's report, and see there is more benefit for these migrant workers to be allowed to remain in New Zealand than to kick them out."

Released last week, the Economic Impacts of Immigration report said immigration in general, and not just highly skilled immigrants, contributed significantly to the economy.

It valued the current levels of immigration at 20,000 annual net inflow to be worth $1.9 billion a year to GDP and $1000 per capita GDP, and said the New Zealand economy needed immigrants with varying skill levels to grow.

The study found increased immigration at all skill levels reduced production costs, improved competitiveness of New Zealand goods and services and benefited exporters, domestic investment and consumer spending.

Mr Libre said the Government's "Kiwi first" jobs policy had made it "nearly impossible" for migrant workers, many on work-to-residence permits, to find work in the past year.

"These migrant workers are not sucking up the economy, in fact, many are borrowing money from home to keep them going. All we are asking for is for a chance to have them here a little longer, to find a job, and for Immigration New Zealand to abide by its original promise when it issued the work-to-residence visas," he said.

"At the end of the day, everyone suffers, including the New Zealand economy, if we send these workers packing."

A spokeswoman for Dr Coleman said he had not seen the petition and was in no position to comment.

She also said the minister would not be at tomorrow's meeting as he had a prior engagement.

Meanwhile, a study circulated at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) meeting in Singapore this week is warning Asia-Pacific economies that they will face critical labour shortages if they fail to allow easier movement of temporary workers.

The report, commissioned by the Apec Business Advisory Council, urges Governments to address the problem or risk hampering business competitiveness and economic growth.

"Real shortages of skilled and lower-skilled workers exist in many Apec economies, even during this recessionary period," says the study, prepared by the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.

"And these shortages and imbalances of skills and jobs are predicted to become increasingly critical because of the changing demographics of ageing populations.

"This gives business real concern as access to workers is directly correlated with business competitiveness and growth."

MIGRANT WORKERS' MEETING
When: Tomorrow, noon to 4.30pm.
Where: Glenfield Community Board Room, Bentley Ave.