Future of the Skilled Migrant Category
HNZ submitted on the Future of the Skilled Migrant Category. We shared our frustration with the current immigration policies, and the inaccessibility for hospitality businesses to migrant staff. We outlined our concerns with the proposals, particularly the new proposed points system and its failure to recognise on-the-job training, the implementation of a stand-down period and a higher wage threshold for a specified occupations list, most of which were hospitality based. We also endorsed BusinessNZ's recommendation of 6-month limited purpose visa, capturing seasonal demands and peaks with clear temporary stay intent, leaving the Skilled Migrant Category to be available at all skill levels (as opposed to its current design). Many thanks to members who provided feedback.