21 April 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez met with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and Labour Inspectorate officials in Christchurch on April 13 to discuss and exchange information on the situation and status of Filipino workers especially those employed in the rebuild and reconstruction, health care, dairy and other sectors in Christchurch and Canterbury region.
Third Secretary and Vice Consul Glenn Joseph Obach and Philippine Honorary Consul Peter Wait accompanied the Ambassador. Present at the meeting were INZ Area Manager Janine Parsons, INZ Immigration Manager (Central and Southern) Dave Campbell, Labour Inspectorate Regional Manager (Southern) and Mr. Stuart Lumsden.
Ambassador Benavidez led the Embassy’s Mobile Consular Team to Christchurch from April 09 to 13 and took the opportunity to network with New Zealand’s Immigration and Labour Inspectorate authorities.
Ms. Parsons, with the other INZ and Labour Inspectorate officials, shared and exchanged views on major developments in New Zealand’s visa application system. They also provided updates on arrangements being worked out between the two countries’ labor officials for the recruitment and deployment of Filipino skilled workers to New Zealand who are responsive to the skilled manpower needs of New Zealand and at the same time consistent with core employment policies and practices of both countries. INZ and Labour Inspectorate officials continue to engage with Filipino workers, among them the Association of Filipino Tradesmen in New Zealand, regarding workers’ rights, employment standards and other related matters.
Ambassador Benavidez also updated the INZ and Labour Inspectorate officials about her recent call on INZ Head and Deputy Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Nigel Bickle on April 08. The meeting focused on the increasing numbers of and preference for skilled Filipinos in the rebuild and reconstruction of Christchurch and the dairy and health care sectors, the collaborative efforts among relevant Philippine and New Zealand government agencies and private companies for the equitable treatment, and the proper deployment and smooth entry of Filipinos to New Zealand.
As the INZ and Labour Inspectorate officials stressed the crucial importance of immediate and close coordination, contact and meeting with them to discuss and resolve issues and concerns of the Filipino workers, Ambassador Benavidez thanked them for their invaluable assistance and continuing cooperation and their accessibility and readiness to provide valuable information, advice, help and support in addressing and settling problems arising from the work and stay of Filipinos here. She also said that “the Philippine Embassy’s continuing active engagement with the relevant agencies and authorities in New Zealand is vital to the collective efforts of both countries to ensure the welfare and well-being of Filipinos staying and working in New Zealand.” END