Visa extensions and a postponed stand down period for low-paid Essential Skills visa holders will help firms retain
international skills, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says.
"International workers have enabled New Zealand companies to operate during lockdowns, and ensured our firms have the
workforce they need to recover from a tumultuous year.
"With unemployment significantly lower than forecast and a number of industries identifying skill shortages as a
pressing issue, we need to keep all of the skills and talent in New Zealand we possibly can and avoid further labour
market disruption," Mr Hope says.