TechHR
ex
L&D
UNPLUGGED
Sphere
About Us • Contact Us
People Matters ANZ
People Matters Logo
Login / Signup
People Matters Logo
Login / Signup
  • Current
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Research
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Podcast

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

  • HotTopic
    HR Folk Talk FutureProofHR
  • Strategy
    Leadership Csuite StrategicHR EmployeeRelations BigInterview
  • Recruitment
    Employer Branding Appointments Permanent Hiring Recruitment
  • Performance
    Skilling PerformanceMgmt Compensation Benefits L&D Employee Engagement
  • Culture
    Culture Life@Work Diversity Watercooler SheMatters
  • Tech
    Technology HR Technology Funding & Investment Startups Metaverse
  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Become a sponsor
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback
  • Write For Us

Follow us:

Privacy Policy • Terms of Use

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

People Matters Logo
  • Current
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Research
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
Login / Signup

Categories:

  • HotTopic
    HR Folk Talk FutureProofHR
  • Strategy
    Leadership Csuite StrategicHR EmployeeRelations BigInterview
  • Recruitment
    Employer Branding Appointments Permanent Hiring Recruitment
  • Performance
    Skilling PerformanceMgmt Compensation Benefits L&D Employee Engagement
  • Culture
    Culture Life@Work Diversity Watercooler SheMatters
  • Tech
    Technology HR Technology Funding & Investment Startups Metaverse
Immigration policy update: INZ aligns visa pay with median wage

News • 5th Mar 2024 • 2 Min Read

Immigration policy update: INZ aligns visa pay with median wage

Employee RelationsBusiness

Author: People Matters Editorial Team People Matters Editorial Team
1.3K Reads
INZ raises visa pay limits to match median wage, ensuring fair compensation and compliance for employers and applicants.

Immigration policies are pivotal in shaping a country's demographic landscape and driving economic growth and competitiveness. The recent move by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to implement higher pay limits for various visa categories underscores the nation's commitment to attracting skilled migrants while ensuring fair labour practices and economic sustainability.

The adjustment, which became effective on 28 February this year, sees pay limits for several visa categories, including the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List Straight to Resident, Work to Residence visas, and Parent Category resident class visas, aligning with the median hourly wage in New Zealand, currently standing at NZ$31.61. This alignment reflects INZ's recognition of the importance of offering competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled migrants, contributing to the country's talent pool and overall economic development.

Assessing New Zealand's wage thresholds

Wage thresholds are critical in assessing eligibility for certain visas, measuring the job's skill level and ensuring that migrants are remunerated fairly for their contributions to the workforce. By linking these thresholds to the median wage, INZ ensures that visa entitlements remain responsive to changes in economic conditions, particularly inflation, thereby maintaining the integrity of the immigration system.

READ MORE | Why New Zealand nurses are moving to Australia

The adjustment in wage thresholds extends beyond mere administrative changes, signalling a broader commitment to addressing wage disparities and promoting social equity within the labour market.

By raising the minimum wage limits, INZ seeks to mitigate instances of exploitation and ensure that migrant workers are afforded dignified working conditions and fair compensation for their labour.

However, it's essential to recognise that the adjustment in wage thresholds may only uniformly apply across some visa categories. For instance, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and AEWV-linked work visas will maintain their current rates, remaining at NZ$29.66 per hour. While this decision ensures consistency in policy implementation, it also underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and refinement of immigration policies to align with evolving economic dynamics and labour market demands.

Increasing the minimum wage

Moreover, the announcement of an impending increase in the New Zealand minimum wage on 1 April 2024, further underscores the government's commitment to promoting fair labour practices and improving the standard of living for workers. The adjustment in the wage threshold for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers to align with the new minimum wage reflects a proactive approach to ensuring that all workers, including those on temporary visas, receive fair compensation for their work.

READ MORE | Migrant workers vulnerable after paying for visas

Nevertheless, challenges may arise, in effect, implementing and enforcing the new wage thresholds. Compliance with the adjusted wage requirements may pose financial burdens on employers, particularly in sectors reliant on migrant labour, potentially impacting their profitability and competitiveness. Moreover, ensuring widespread adherence to wage standards and preventing non-compliance will necessitate robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms by relevant authorities.

INZ's decision to implement higher pay limits for visa categories represents a significant step towards fostering a fair and equitable immigration system. By aligning wage thresholds with prevailing economic conditions and minimum wage standards, New Zealand reaffirms its commitment to promoting fair labour practices, protecting migrant workers' rights, and sustaining economic growth and prosperity.

Continuing collaboration between government agencies, employers, and stakeholders will ensure effective implementation and enforcement of these policies, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and sustainable labour market.

Read More

Did you find this article helpful?


You Might Also Like

The end of non-compete for low and mid-income

NEWS • 25th Mar 2025 • 3 Min Read

The end of non-compete for low and mid-income

Employee Relations#EmploymentLaw
Remote employees less likely to see pay hikes

NEWS • 17th Dec 2024 • 2 Min Read

Remote employees less likely to see pay hikes

Compensation & BenefitsEmployee Relations#HRTech#HRCommunity
Amazon orders staff back to office

NEWS • 17th Sep 2024 • 3 Min Read

Amazon orders staff back to office

LeadershipEmployee Relations#HRTech#RemoteWork#HRCommunity
NEXT STORY: Australia sees strong growth in average weekly earnings

Trending Stories

  • design-thinking-hr

    New tech incoming: how do you get people to accept it?

  • design-thinking-hr

    Why people metrics matter more than ever

  • design-thinking-hr

    ChatGPT Walks It Back — AI Giants Race Ahead

  • design-thinking-hr

    Skype is dead: Did Microsoft's leadership let a billion-doll...

People Matters Logo

Follow us:

Join our mailing list:

By clicking “Subscribe” button above, you are accepting our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Company:

  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Become a sponsor
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Contact:

  • Contact Us
  • Feedback
  • Write For Us

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Get the latest Articles, Insight, News & Trends from the world of Talent & Work. Subscribe now!
People Matters Logo

Welcome Back!

or

Enter your registered email address to login

Not a user yet? Lets get you signed up!

A 5 digit OTP has been sent to your email address.

This is so we know it's you. Haven't received it yet? Resend the email or then change your email ID.

People Matters Logo

Welcome! Let's get you signed up...

Starting with the absolulte basics.

Already a user? Go ahead and login!

A 5 digit OTP has been sent to your email address.

This is so we know it's you. Haven't received it yet? Resend the email or then change your email ID.

Let's get to know you better

We'll never share your details with anyone, pinky swear.

And lastly...

Your official designation and company name.