Trevor Mallard
Immigration Spokesperson
28 June 2014
Policy focuses on high skills, high wages
Boosting regional development and lifting New Zealand’s economic performance toward a high-skilled high-income economy
are key components of Labour’s immigration policy, released this morning.
“Labour is committed to immigration that not only meets economic priorities but which contributes to social objectives
and to New Zealand’s vibrant multicultural society,” Immigration spokesperson Trevor Mallard says. “We need an economy
that works for all New Zealanders, migrant and non-migrant.”
“Around half of permanent arrivals to New Zealand move to the Auckland region. We want to encourage people coming into
the country to accept jobs or establish businesses in the regions, and we’ll do that by increasing the incentives to the
points system.
“We are also concerned that a significant number of workers are being brought into New Zealand for relatively
low-skilled jobs on low rates of pay. This not only leads to exploitation of these workers but undercuts the local
labour market, pushing wages down for Kiwis.
“To address that Labour will require employers bringing in overseas workers to pay a living wage (after accommodation
deductions) where the job offer forms part of the reason the application is accepted. This does not apply for the
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) or Pacific quota migrants.
“We will also ensure RSE workers are paid at the rate of at least the minimum wage plus $1.25 an hour, with
accommodation provided in addition to wages. Employers in industries with skills shortages and low pay will be required
to be involved in implementing training plans before they are given the right to bring in workers from overseas.
“Labour will review the Pacific quota to ensure they are working effectively and that Pacific families are not excluded
from family reunification possibilities. We will also move to facilitate residence applications for people who have been
legally in New Zealand on work visas since 2009, and for their families.
“Because Labour believes immigration flows should not fluctuate wildly and where possible should be counter cyclical we
will smooth out peaks and troughs through mechanisms such as the points system.
“We will also progressively increase the refugee quota of 750 to 1000 once current migration pressures have eased.
“Labour is committed to an immigration system that acknowledges the important contributions new migrants have made and
continue to make to New Zealand society,” Trevor Mallard said.
ENDS