Friday, 23 March 2012 09:40

Smoother paths for migrant workers

Written by Sudesh Kissun

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TWO NEW guides released last week are intended to help migrant dairy workers and their employers work together more successfully.

Immigration and Associate Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says migrant workers are a small but important part of the dairy industry workforce, filling gaps where not enough New Zealanders are available.

About 1500 migrant dairy workers – mostly from othe Philippines, now make up 6% of the workforce.

Migrant-worker demand has risen recently because of difficulty attracting and retaining local workers in some parts of rural New Zealand.

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