NZers returning from Australia can self-isolate from Feb 28; NZers from rest of world, visa holders and working holidaymakers can also avoid MIQ and self-isolate from March 13; Migrant shackles eased
The change to 1.5 times median income from 2.0 times income is a definite loosening with an extra 10,000 to 20,000 workers expected, relative to previous settings. The reopening to holidaymakers with work rights is also substantial with an extra 50,000 coming.
So I guess there goes any expected decent wage rises due to access to cheaper overseas labour again! The flow on effect I guess is even less chance for first home buyers to save for NZ's vastly overpriced housing.
Well done Labour on rolling over again to pressure from big business/big agri. I'm so disillusioned with both Labour & National with the only difference seems to be the colour of their party logos these days. Hope TOP's policies see some media exposure prior to the next election as radically different approach to the current trickle down effect we see from both major parties!
Unfortunately the problem with many locals is that they simply aren't very productive when it comes to jobs like fruit picking. A PI works hard because they want to send as much money home as possible, while the orchardist has to pay a kiwi the minimum wage regardless of how much work they do.
Last year my nephew worked the summer holidays at the local freezing works. He said they have up to employ up to 20% extra workers to account for absenteeism. It was quite common for higher paid workers on the chain not to turn up on Friday as they 'had made enough money for the week'.
I agree that we have to work towards a higher wage economy, but it needs to be accompanied by higher productivity.
Re fruit picking my boy did Hort work in the HB last year. First few days he was struggling, then he and his mates adapted, and the foreman told him he wished he had workers like them every year. This summer (he's a student) he went to CO to do cherry picking - owner/employer mucked him around on starting dates for 2 weeks so he missed out on other work, then arrived and waited 2 days for a half hour induction, then picking only 5 days out of 11 (non weekend days) all the while paying exorbitant rent to stay at on-site accommodation (i.e., how the owner really makes money). So quit and took another job as a stop-go guy.
Meantime I hear Cherry orchadists on the radio complaining about kiwis not wanting to work whine whine whine....give me a break.
If you have a business model that is unproductive without exploiting desperate third world people, screwing students, or basically treating people like s..t, then maybe you should re-think your line of business.
Hakes bay is full of “workers wanted” signs. Even at the so called living wage kiwis dont turn up. The job seeker benefit plus cash jobs on the side is a better deal. Crack down on the benefit and problem solved. Stop punishing the growers
2 years of this for nothing? Back to feckless employers visionless politicians floods of immigrants pseudogrowth and suppressed wages. No future for my children here.
Years and years of "research" telling us "no no ....i.migration has no effect on wages... that's a myth". Now it's "we need immigrants to keep wages low...I mean labor costs down"
Late last year there were a few items on the TV news about farm contractors unable to do the work for farmers because they couldn't get skilled operators for complex farm machinery. According to the contractor he got the skilled labour from Britain where workers spent half a year there then six months here - followed the sun so to speak.
But the reporter didn't provide a balanced report and ask how many kiwis, as a percentage, he normally employed during the season. And how many of those kiwis did the same as the Brits and followed the sun. And how many of his kiwis were upskilled during the season so they could work the complex machinery.
Sorry, it was just a couple of news item on TV3. But the contractor did show lovely photos of overturned machinery allegedly because the driver wasn't skilled enough.
FYI I have updated the article with more details from the news conference. Including that the migrant worker visa changes could mean up to 70,000 extra workers coming into the country over the next year.
The PM said yesterday she wanted to bring that forward from July. There's a big push on to have Australians arriving from early June to coincide with the South Island ski season, which starts June 10. The key will be whether 7 days self-isolation is required. My guess is by then we'll be at one or two days for a PCR result to come back. Rob Fyfe talked about that last night.
Bernard that sounds positive, have the self isolation covered they will fly into Queenstown, I will pick the Aussies up and isolate them in Invercargill at our home.
So up to 20,000 low wage (but essential) migrant workers. Next step residency…..collect working for families….add in accomodation grants….free schooling….health…pension. No wonder I’m xenophobic. Could Labour screw us any more?
Its good to see progress on border opening, but our on again off again govt is clueless on risk management. Sir Ian Taylors proposal for a 30 minute PCR grade test at the border would dramatically reduce our risk. It is already internationally accredited. Why isnt it part of the plan?
Interesting. Got a link?
The change to 1.5 times median income from 2.0 times income is a definite loosening with an extra 10,000 to 20,000 workers expected, relative to previous settings. The reopening to holidaymakers with work rights is also substantial with an extra 50,000 coming.
So I guess there goes any expected decent wage rises due to access to cheaper overseas labour again! The flow on effect I guess is even less chance for first home buyers to save for NZ's vastly overpriced housing.
Well done Labour on rolling over again to pressure from big business/big agri. I'm so disillusioned with both Labour & National with the only difference seems to be the colour of their party logos these days. Hope TOP's policies see some media exposure prior to the next election as radically different approach to the current trickle down effect we see from both major parties!
Unfortunately the problem with many locals is that they simply aren't very productive when it comes to jobs like fruit picking. A PI works hard because they want to send as much money home as possible, while the orchardist has to pay a kiwi the minimum wage regardless of how much work they do.
Last year my nephew worked the summer holidays at the local freezing works. He said they have up to employ up to 20% extra workers to account for absenteeism. It was quite common for higher paid workers on the chain not to turn up on Friday as they 'had made enough money for the week'.
I agree that we have to work towards a higher wage economy, but it needs to be accompanied by higher productivity.
Re fruit picking my boy did Hort work in the HB last year. First few days he was struggling, then he and his mates adapted, and the foreman told him he wished he had workers like them every year. This summer (he's a student) he went to CO to do cherry picking - owner/employer mucked him around on starting dates for 2 weeks so he missed out on other work, then arrived and waited 2 days for a half hour induction, then picking only 5 days out of 11 (non weekend days) all the while paying exorbitant rent to stay at on-site accommodation (i.e., how the owner really makes money). So quit and took another job as a stop-go guy.
Meantime I hear Cherry orchadists on the radio complaining about kiwis not wanting to work whine whine whine....give me a break.
If you have a business model that is unproductive without exploiting desperate third world people, screwing students, or basically treating people like s..t, then maybe you should re-think your line of business.
Hakes bay is full of “workers wanted” signs. Even at the so called living wage kiwis dont turn up. The job seeker benefit plus cash jobs on the side is a better deal. Crack down on the benefit and problem solved. Stop punishing the growers
2 years of this for nothing? Back to feckless employers visionless politicians floods of immigrants pseudogrowth and suppressed wages. No future for my children here.
Years and years of "research" telling us "no no ....i.migration has no effect on wages... that's a myth". Now it's "we need immigrants to keep wages low...I mean labor costs down"
Late last year there were a few items on the TV news about farm contractors unable to do the work for farmers because they couldn't get skilled operators for complex farm machinery. According to the contractor he got the skilled labour from Britain where workers spent half a year there then six months here - followed the sun so to speak.
But the reporter didn't provide a balanced report and ask how many kiwis, as a percentage, he normally employed during the season. And how many of those kiwis did the same as the Brits and followed the sun. And how many of his kiwis were upskilled during the season so they could work the complex machinery.
Those are great points. Got a link? Maybe I can follow up with the farm contractors involved.
Sorry, it was just a couple of news item on TV3. But the contractor did show lovely photos of overturned machinery allegedly because the driver wasn't skilled enough.
I smell the spoor of some brutally bad polling here.
Yep. Last two months has been poor for the Govt. 1News Kantar poll showed that.
FYI I have updated the article with more details from the news conference. Including that the migrant worker visa changes could mean up to 70,000 extra workers coming into the country over the next year.
Landlords are rubbing their hands in glee.
Economists predict house prices to rise by more than 25% in next year.
Imports of vans and station wagons rise as those on struggle street look for somewhere to live.
Employers increase the rhetoric about lazy kiwis.
Bernard is there any indication yet of when in July Australian citizens may enter NZ?
This isn’t idle speculation, we have 2 very dear Australian friends who want to visit us in July, so the when is quite important to us.
Thank you Frances
The PM said yesterday she wanted to bring that forward from July. There's a big push on to have Australians arriving from early June to coincide with the South Island ski season, which starts June 10. The key will be whether 7 days self-isolation is required. My guess is by then we'll be at one or two days for a PCR result to come back. Rob Fyfe talked about that last night.
Bernard that sounds positive, have the self isolation covered they will fly into Queenstown, I will pick the Aussies up and isolate them in Invercargill at our home.
Hi Bernard
Is University of Auckland moving to online lectures and no halls for the first semester?
Yes to the first of those. https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/education/300510080/covid19-universities-move-to-online-learning-for-semester-1-as-omicron-looms I doubt the halls will be closed though.
Thanks Giles and Simon G. Asked and answered. cheers
So up to 20,000 low wage (but essential) migrant workers. Next step residency…..collect working for families….add in accomodation grants….free schooling….health…pension. No wonder I’m xenophobic. Could Labour screw us any more?
Its good to see progress on border opening, but our on again off again govt is clueless on risk management. Sir Ian Taylors proposal for a 30 minute PCR grade test at the border would dramatically reduce our risk. It is already internationally accredited. Why isnt it part of the plan?