The New Zealand authorities announced Monday that they need more than 75,000 international workers, from nurses to teachers and mechanics, given the lack of labor in the national and international markets.
At a press conference, the New Zealand Prime Minister, jacinda ardernpointed out that since June some 94,000 positions have been offered to foreign employees and, since then, some 17,000 international workers have already obtained a visa to work in the country.
“The global shortage of workers contributes to the lack of workers here (…) It is clear that the lack of labor is persistent not only here but also in the markets with which we compete”accurate Ardern.
“We need to attract skilled workers to our shores with wages, our conditions and safety. So, in conversation with companies and industry groups, we are expanding our plan to make New Zealand the most attractive place to live on the planet.”said the president.
Among other measures, Ardern announced that nurses and doctors will go from this Thursday, December 15, to the “green list” of employees who directly obtain residency in New Zealand.
Immigration Minister Michael Wood said that New Zealand it wants to take advantage of the strength of its economy to attract skilled workers in the midst of intense international competition.
“Since the pandemic, 3,474 nurses have arrived in the country, but it is clear that we need to do more to make nurses choose New Zealand”Wood said.
As of March of next year, other profiles such as teachers, qualified mechanics, crane operators and even halal butchers will be included in the green list that facilitates the application for residence in New Zealand.
For much of 2020 and 2021, New Zealand maintained many restrictions on entry into the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now it faces a labor shortage that it wants to fill with foreign workers.
New Zealandwith a population of about 5.1 million people, has unemployment of 3.3%, according to official data.
Source: Gestion
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