The setting of more realistic bands for temporary work visas is a pragmatic response for employers struggling to find staff according to the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).
Today’s announcement of adjustments to the proposed changes in the Essential Skills visa are also welcome news to manufacturers who continue to face skill shortages that hold back their businesses from expanding, says the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA).
In an announcement confirming the changes to temporary work visas, immigration minister Michael Woodhouse is responding to calls from industry and companies to have more flexibility to find the staff they need in their respective sectors.
“I think there has been a clear call from businesses saying that in such a tight market like this, they need to have the ability to find workers. Today’s announcement from Government is sensible and practical in how it addresses pressure points in the mid-level salary range,” says EMA chief executive officer Kim Campbell.
“Despite these changes appearing to be coming from pressure largely from low-wage and primary areas of the economy, they do address some concerns manufacturers have,” says NZMEA chief executive Dieter Adam.
“With the adjustments to the medium skilled salary threshold, the majority of skill shortages felt in the manufacturing industry will now be covered as medium skilled. This will help alleviate some of the perceived issues with the previous proposals, especially the 12 month stand down period after 3 years in the low skilled category,” says Adam.
“We keep hearing about the skills shortage in the service sector and today’s confirmation of a mid-skilled remuneration band for temporary work visas does address this,” says Kim Campbell.
He says with a deepening skills shortage the Government must continue to look for at a range of options to address the issue.
“Immigration is part of the solution. It goes in-hand with how we educate and develop Kiwis. From embarking on your first job through to managing your career through different ages and stages, we need to ensure we have capable workers,” says Campbell.
The skills shortage continues says the EMA.
In the EMA employers survey 2015, 67% of employers were finding it difficult to recruit for skilled positions. A year later in 2016, this had increased to 72%.
Furthermore, employers are struggling to recruit positions across all range of skills from fully qualified professionals through to general labourers.
