Friday January 05, 2007

Milagros (not her real name) is a licensed accountant in the Philippines. She had a stable job in a banking institution and earned enough to support her young family, rent a house and enjoy the little amenities in life.

With dreams of owning her own house, driving her own car and sending her children to a good university, she decided to emigrate to New Zealand after learning about the need for skilled professionals from a recruitment agency.

She realised she had to raise money for the many requirements, including an interview in Thailand.

When she got her six-month work-to-residence visa, she was ecstatic. She quickly resigned and borrowed enough money for her plane ticket and to keep her going for the first few weeks.

During the Christmas break, Milagros has not had the company of her husband and children in New Zealand. A kind homeowner has given her a small room and seen her suffer countless rejections in her job applications.

Her finances drained, she got work as a fruit picker, and with the six months almost up, Milagros may have to return home jobless, debt-ridden and emotionally scarred.

Many other professionals have come here under Amendment Circular No 2005/12 issued by Immigration NZ on December 20, 2005. The policy says: "Applicants may be approved for residence under Skilled Migrant Category policy at such time as they have become established in ongoing skilled employment for a period of at least three months during the six-month deferral period."

Another migrant, Angelita (not her real name), says: "I applied [for] a lot of jobs through the internet. Some I got from newspapers and through employment agencies.

"A lot of them ask what my visa is, and when I tell them the truth that I am on six months work-to-residence they immediately turn me down. My qualification suits their requirements but my visa is my problem."

Another migrant said: "I am weary and confused on what I am going to do because my six-months visa will expire on March 19. My family (husband and two kids) is with me here at Manurewa, South Auckland."

Another visa holder, Melinda (not her real name), said in exasperation: "This is now my dilemma. How can I get my permanent residence status if I will not be able to work in a related job where I do not stand a chance [of getting employed]?"

It is unfair, if not absurd, for Immigration NZ to have issued the six-month work-to-residence policy. Its website under the title Work Opportunities says: "Even well-qualified migrants may take six or more months to find suitable employment and will often need to move out of their specialist field."

It adds: "It is also common for highly qualified migrants to accept more junior positions than they held at home. Disappointing as this may be, it does provide new migrants with the New Zealand work experience most employers demand. These difficulties tend to diminish with time, but it is important to be prepared for a period of adjustment during at least the first year of residence."

The testimonies of many migrant professionals highlighted the policy's failure because of the following factors:

* Lack of understanding among potential employers on the status of a work-to-residence visa holder.

* Absence of any Government assistance in enabling applicants to find jobs where their skills are required.

* Limited time to adjust to the New Zealand culture, language and peculiarities and integrate into the society.

A petition signed by more than 1000 migrant Filipino professionals seeks, among other things, a review of the policy.

It wants the reinstatement of the work-to-residence two-year deferral period policy, and the extension of those covered by the present six-month work-to-residence by an extra year and six months, allowing two years to secure employment in their category of skill.

Milagros, like all the other applicants under the the present policy, says she is not asking for pity from the Government. She seeks equal opportunity in employment, a reasonable period to search for a job in her field of skill, and a chance to contribute her knowledge and skills to the development of New Zealand and its people.

Most important, she hopes to reunite with her family in this nation she wants to call home.

* Mel B. Libre is an Auckland-based journalist, songwriter and migrant rights advocate.