Govt confirms revoking of Filipino work permits

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Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:00a.m.

The Government has confirmed it is considering revoking the temporary work permits of six Filipino workers employed at a New Plymouth metal factory.

They were kept on after 28 New Zealanders were made redundant before Christmas.

The company has been accused of favouring the migrant workers ahead of the Kiwis.

Steve Bovett is back working as welder, but he is still furious at the way he and his mates were laid off last October.

MCK metals chopped Bovett and 27 other local staff, yet the bosses kept nine migrant workers from the Philippines on the payroll.

Bovett says the jobs that he and others did have been taken by the Filipinos.

Now the Government is investigating to find out if the company has broken the law.

The Filipinos were hired under the Government's skilled migrant category in October 2007 to do specialist aluminium welding and polishing work.

MCK Metals is defending the move to keep them on. When asked if they still do the skilled work that they were employed to do, the boss replied “Yes, as the demand for the products dictate, however, as the economy has taken a turn for the worst the migrant workers have had to be deployed in other areas of our operations. This is permitted under the conditions of the work visa.”

Bovett says that is proof the migrant workers have taken local jobs.

A short time ago the Immigration Minister, Jonathan Coleman, told 3 News the bosses at MCK Metals successfully changed the visa and work conditions of the Filipino workers two weeks before the locals were laid off.

It never told Immigration officials about the planned layoffs.

The Government is sensitive about this issue and it has been quick to react today.

Jonathan Coleman says he has now asked the Immigration Department to look at revoking the visa of at least six of the nine Filipinos and send them home.

He hopes some of the locals get their jobs back.

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Comments

29 Mar 2009 02:31p.m.

nolly wrote:

With the way the NZ government is treating Filipino migrants workers now, I am very disappointed and even reluctant of moving with my family and live there for good. Pardon me kiwis, for saying this, but it is only in your country or some cases part in Australia that migrants are getting unfair treatments, contrary to what is promised and advertised in your websites. Although so eager before but now, I am thinking of moving to Canada instead. At least I will be certain a better life awaits us there.

27 Mar 2009 12:13p.m.

Jono wrote:

Keith is right. Why blame the Filipinos? Is it their fault, did they violate NZ immigration law with such malice that they should be sent home instead of being helped by their host country. I understand Mr. Coleman seeks to protect kiwis but by sending those Filipinos or should I say migrants home, he is making a mockery of NZ's immigration policy. If this is policy, NZ should stop inviting migrants from around the world. A recession is no excuse to send legal migrants home. Caveat to all those looking to migrate to NZ, this is how you will be treated when times are hard. It is obvious that if there was a violation, the Filipinos did not take part in it, although they are involved by circumstance. Penalizing the Filipinos is like conviction for an infraction they did not commit....Duh!

25 Mar 2009 06:55p.m.

ctizen wrote:

i think this is a clear form of racism in this country. is it the filipinos' fault if they are hardworking or skilled? is it their fault that they follow what they are tasked to do? they may be sending a bi part of their income back to their families in the Philippines but these filipinos have their own share to NZ economy by paying off their taxes and buying NZ products.

why should these filipinos get all the beatings?

24 Mar 2009 09:28p.m.

John, Christchurch wrote:

This is a common problem in NZ bring well educated people to NZ then give them low paid jobs that dont match their skill level heaps of Filipino nurses working as care givers as they cant get a job as a nurse in NZ but why will Aussie and USA let them work as nurses but NZ wont. NZ uses and abuses these people

24 Mar 2009 07:58p.m.

Dee wrote:

The company the Filipinos for has indeed hired them as welders, but they in fact, are just doing labouring jobs, taking positions that were held by some of the people made redundant. The workers realise that it is not the Filipino's fault they have been placed in this position, but blame their company who employed, so-called "skilled" welders. Shortly after they were employed, the work they were employed for dropped off. New Zealand is in a recession, and the workers laid off were people who have mortgages and families to support, whereas, the Filipinos money is sent back to their country. They were also told by MCK Metals, there would be longer hours involved, and the workers are paid minimum wages, MCK Metals SHOULD be held accountable.

24 Mar 2009 07:56p.m.

Alien wrote:

I remember reading a letter or post either here or somewhere else from someone who works at the firm, stating that those who were let go were so for the standard of their work, and problems they were causing.

24 Mar 2009 06:40p.m.

keith, auckland wrote:

Don't blame the Fillipinos.Did the firm recruit them when they could get no kiwis,as is the case in the Telco industry?Then they pay them less and they are very hard; well educated workers and relocate to this country.It is not the Fillipinos fault,so who should pay for this mess.At the least, a large compensation for the migrants with new jobs and relocation if they lose their jobs.Too common in NZ.I am a Kiwi BTW but work with and have many migrant friends.There are 2 sides.