Employer Compliance & NZ Immigration - Surprisingly Linked!

Compliance with employment law has always been an integral part of immigration policy for grant of employment-specific work visas in New Zealand. But now there is a bigger focus on this than ever before, because the government is closely targeting breaches of employment law. 

With the launch of the Migrant Protection Exploitation Work Visa, an official category has been set up specifically for migrants in exploitative working conditions. Such workers need to have an escape route, and it's a very welcome move from the government to finally be able to offer this. 

What Does This NZ Work Visa Mean for Business Owners?

But there are many well-meaning and good hearted business owners who have intentionally or unintentionally brushed HR related processes aside. This is largely due to a lack of time, knowledge and resources - but it creates a big risk. The cost of getting this wrong and getting caught is very high. 

For employers in this position (usually where the business owner is the one managing employment agreements and associated working conditions for migrant employees), there’s a huge impact on your employees who hold work visas and any future accreditation applications that will be made - as accreditation becomes mandatory from mid-2022. (This was originally aimed to start on 1st November 2021, but was recently moved to mid next year.) This extra time can be a blessing in a disguise for those motivated to improve their workplaces and workplace policies. 

Do you have an employer in this position? If yes, get them to reach out to us for tangible tips on how they can improve their HR policies and safeguard your immigration options.

- Zinnia Manchanda (Operations Manager & Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser #201600267)