Settling In Palmerston North and Feilding - Human Rights Commission

Attitude of Employers• ‘There have been times when some have been taken advantage of in the work place – people have treated us unfairly and have used the factthat we may not communicate clearly or know our rights as employees to their advantage. Suspicion of our trustworthiness despite continualeffort to prove ourselves has also been apparent – especially initially. However things have generally improved.’• ‘Mostly really positive, quickly became part of the team – this positive experience highlighted the challenges of those who might not find workright away or be looking to work.’• ‘Some employing organisations did this better than others, and had a very strong package of practical and financial support. Others less so,but individuals were very welcoming.’• ‘it is hard to find employment, as most employers in NZ require NZ experience before hiring anyone.’• ‘Participants spoke of the clear preference given to NZers in employment, which generally meant migrants found it harder to get a job, andusually only the most menial jobs.’SETTLING IN PALMERSTON NORTH AND FEILDINGLiteracy and Communications• ‘They feel that at times it is hard to find job, the employer probably thinking that communication skills is not so good.’• ‘Most people thought that their inability to communicate well in English was the biggest barrier to employment, and that this was a biggerfactor than their ethnicity.’• ‘(Note – most participants have not been told yet about the new English for Employment programme which EHT now has a contract toprovide)’• ‘Some felt the English levels required for access to professional employment in particular were unreasonably high. For example, nurses hadto score 7/9 on all the Ielts language tests to get into nursing. Quite reasonably they questioned whether this level could be achieved by manynative English speakers. One participant was concerned that the agent who helped with their migration to NZ had told her that passing thenecessary English test would be “easy”.’• ‘Looking for jobs is hard, sometimes due to lack of reading skills.’• ‘Some communication problems – haven’t really had good, consistent income’Focus Group Suggestions• More comprehensive and accurate orientation information• Tighter controls on immigration agents and the information they provide• Employment strategies to improve prospects for refugees and migrants (eg voluntary work experience opportunities)• Strategies to better utilise skilled migrants in their fields of expertise• Improve public awareness about migrants and the positive contributions that they make to the economy• Improved information sharing between government departments (eg Immigration and NZQA) to prevent duplication• Greater flexibility for maintaining income support and Housing NZ subsidies for migrants with insecure/temporaryperiods of employment• Improved intercultural awareness at Work and Income and other key agenciesCurrent Financial Climate• ‘Even though there’s economic crisis around the world, we still have to do our job’• ‘With the present global economic crunch, many companies, little, big and small are downsizing or closing up resulting in less working hours,forced leave without pay or redundancy. Implement security of tenure is of the issues for everyone but more especially for the short termmigrant which is affected greatly …’Networks and Information• ‘Be more confident to approach organisations directly’• ‘Get workplace experience in my area’• ‘Unable to get business information, news, activities, notes timely. Missed out opportunities’Feedback about What is Working Well• Migrant Employment Assistance Programme is a valued service – over the last two years, the facilitator has assisted around 370 migrantsand refugees with employment-related issues, including 85 job placements and eight internees on a migrant internship programme (toprovide New Zealand work experience). The facilitator also hosts employment fairs to connect newcomers with prospective employers.Close working relationships and collaboration within the employment / economic development sector.Feedback about What is not Working Well42• Difficulties getting ‘a foot in the door’ for newcomers seeking work opportunities, especially in the current economic climate.• Perceived prejudice towards newcomers on the part of some employers.• Lack of clarity pre-arrival about skills recognition and employment prospects.