media briefing
3rd July 2009

Urgent call for meeting with Minister

Migrant Support Group has been calling for action since March

move2nz has again requested an urgent meeting with Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Minister for Immigration, to discuss the points raised in their report sent to him on June 21st revealing the economic damage being committed by the immigration department in their handling of applications by skilled workers for temporary work permits.

Mike Bell, manager of move2nz’s free support Centre comments “We are being contacted on a daily basis by new families being forced out of the country by current immigration decisions which have significantly changed in recent months.”

These decisions, at odds with comments made by Dr. Coleman as recently as May this year are affecting skilled workers in existing employment.

“Employers are tearing their hair out as they are not being allowed to keep good staff when they know there is no one else available to do the work.”

move2nz, which runs the free Skilled Migrant Information and Resource Centre and move2nz.com website – with 31,500 migrant members is calling for urgent action on:

- hardship of migrants;

- costs to New Zealand government, services (such as the city mission) and agencies;

- damage to NZ’s international reputation as a migration destination;

- damage to NZ employers who are not being allowed to keep staff they have and need

“Having been trying to raise this with the Minister since March we would like to be given a chance to present the information we have gained and answer questions to assist government. Early action could save New Zealand a great deal of economic damage.” confirmed Mr. Bell.

About move2nz

Launched in March 2005, move2nz is the only non-government organization providing free, high quality and full time assistance to help skilled workers and their families settle and integrate into New Zealand society.

move2nz runs the walk-in Skilled Migrant Information and Resource Centre (SMIRC) in Christchurch, runs seminars overseas for prospective migrants to aid settlement success, and provides a free online service with 31,500 subscribers. The organisation is entirely self supporting.

move2nz.com was voted New Zealand's Best Community Website in the People's Choice NetGuide Web awards, 2008

ENDS

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