Immigration system needs to be consistent, minister told in Chch

(Picture caption: At the launch of Multicultural Labour in Canterbury)

The immigration system of New Zealand, with all its rules and regulations, needs to be fair and consistent. Right now, it is too much dependent on the officials, who use their discretion while applying these norms. This was the most common complaint that Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway faced on July 18, when he fronted up to a Q and A session with ethnic communities in Christchurch. The occasion was the launch of Multicultural Labour Canterbury (MLC), which was also attended by the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods, and Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan.

Narendra Singh Warraich, who was appointed the chairperson of MLC during the event, noted, “With over 120 people present from across communities including Chinese, Koreans, and Indians, the inconsistency in application of immigration rules, was the common complaint. To the minister’s credit though, he assured the gathering that the government is working hard to fix New Zealand’s immigration system, with several announcements due soon.”

Other concerns expressed to the minister included increasing difficulty in getting partnership visas, uncertainty about the parent visa category, and work rights provisions for international students, which make them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous employers. “Some people also reiterated the long-standing demand of pegging the pay rates for people gaining residence under the Skilled Migrant Category to their profession. This so because, while it is easier for tradies to get over $23.49 per hour, not many in the retail sector can reach it, putting them at a disadvantage,” Warraich added.