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12 October 2012

Job losses and service changes flagged at Immigration NZ

A major shakeup of visa services will cause yet more stress and uncertainty for Immigration New Zealand staff and could see face-to-face services removed from communities which need them the most, according to the Public Service Association.

Staff have been briefed on plans for a major management restructure and the closure of Immigration New Zealand’s Dunedin and Sydney offices. Up to nine other offices, including two offshore are to be reviewed which could lead to further closures.

The changes are being driven by the introduction of new technology as part of the government’s better public services agenda to deliver more online services.

“Positions will be disestablished across the current management structure and while new positions and structures are being created, the proposal will lead to around 25 job losses initially, with the likelihood of more down the track,” says PSA Assistant Secretary Basil Prestidge.

“We could see the closure of offices such as Manukau, which is one of those targeted for review. This is a branch in an area with the highest concentration of immigrants in New Zealand who often don’t have online access and require face-to-face assistance.”

Basil Prestidge says “the roll out of a new digital system at Immigration over the next three years will affect the amount of processing which needs to be done. That will impact on staff and the work they do going into the future.”

“While technological advances are inevitable, the push towards online transactions and services throughout the public sector is happening very quickly without any real thought to the implications for the workforce or people without computer access. There needs to be some clear planning.”

The focus and extent of the management restructure, along with the closure and review of branch offices has taken staff by surprise.

Basil Prestidge says it will bring a lot of added uncertainty.

“It’s important to remember that Immigration has been swallowed up into the new MBIE superministry and staff have been busy dealing with the challenges and restructurings associated with that.”
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