Immigration changes threaten to boot out hospitality workers

Last month, the Ministry of Immigration changed their policy regarding skilled migrant workers and visa allocations to those workers. In the changes, there has been introduced a maximum visa allocation of three years to migrants who do not fulfil the “skilled worker” category, earning New Zealand’s median income of approximately $49,000. Wire producer Harry Willis spoke with Marisa Bedois, CEO of the New Zealand restaurant association on the impact these changes will have on the hospitality industry in New Zealand, and how important migrant workers are in New Zealand. Harry began first by asking her to explain, in more detail, the changes in the immigration policy.