Pacific workers to ease shortage (5:00)
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One News
Oct 17, 2006
New Zealand may look to the Pacific Islands to help meet the labour shortage.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe is hinting more seasonal and temporary workers will be able to come to the country.
But at the same time he says New Zealand will toughen up on any overstayers.
“Any employer that has an overstayer problem will not get a license to bring in more workers. No ifs, no buts, end of story,” he says.
“And if we have recurrent problems with any partner country with repeat overstayer problems, the chances are we might have to wind back the scheme with that country.”
Cunliffe says the prime minister will make a major announcement on the issue at the Pacific Islands forum next week.
