New Zealand will improve immigration requirements to attract 12,000 new workers over the next year as local businesses face a labor shortage. About it informs Archyde.com, citing a statement by Immigration Minister Michael Wood.
According to him, the measures taken are aimed at helping enterprises that “have suffered from a global shortage of workers.” Some of them include loosening wage rules for skilled migrants in sectors such as care for the elderly, construction and infrastructure, meat processing, seafood and adventure tourism. Other measures are provided for foreigners who came on a Working holiday visa (work during the holidays) – they will have their visas extended for 6 months to keep workers in the country.
“Workforce problems are seen across all skill levels and industries,” Wood said. “New Zealand is not alone in this.” According to Archyde.com, the government is taking action amid a 3.3% unemployment rate, despite the fact that wages also rose by 3.4% year on year (a record growth rate in 14 years).
New Zealand Central Bank last week raised the key rate by 50 basis points to 3% – this is the seventh increase in a row. So the Central Bank seeks to curb inflation in the country. How wrote Archyde.com, inflation in New Zealand hit a 30-year high at 7.3% as of August 17.
Agency reportedthat New Zealand businesses are experiencing a shortage of labor amid a rate increase, suspension of immigration in the context of a pandemic and its slow recovery. In 2021, the New Zealand government said it was making immigration easier, but made changes that made it harder for low-wage migrants. The borders were partially opened in February, but New Zealanders are keen to leave the country, in particular to Australia, due to higher wages.
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