N.Z. jobs for Fijians

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 8

N.Z. jobs for Fijians

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter

The Government yesterday called for reports on why 70 Fijians were being brought to New Zealand for forestry work on the North Island’s east coast, which has the nation’s second-highest rate: Of unemployment The member of Parliament for Gisborne, Mr Allan Wallbank (Labour), had been informed late on Monday evening ol the imported labour. He met the Minister of Employment Mr Goff, and the Minister of Immigration, Mr Rodger, yesterday. . New Zealand could not afford to bring in workers for jobs which should be filled by New Zealanders,

said Mr Goff. But where contracts had been issued and visas- granted, the Government would not interfere. Half the Fijians were already in the country, said Mr Wallbank. "I am not happy that Fijians are taking jobs from people in my electorate," he said. Fijian workers come to this country on a scheme for land development which began in the early ISIQs, said Mr Goff. "A prerequisite for the issuing of visas is that the prospective employer has to prove that New Zealand workers are not available for the jobs,” he said. The employer, a forestry consortium of B.P. and Fletcher Challenge, had

not been able to recruit sufficient workers from tne East Coast With the high unemployment in the region, Mr Goff was surprised that there were not people who could be reasonably expected to accept such a job. Government policy was to cancel the unemployment benefit if - such offers were refused. “I have asked for a report from the Labour Department on the situation, including why out-of-work New Zealanders cannot be recruited to fill these positions.” Mr Goff said he was aware that the forests in which work was planned were isolated and some considerable distance from where unemployed people might

live. But he said such jobs should be filled by New Zealanders. Mr Wallbank said his telephone had been ringing all day with people saying they would take such a job if offered to them. He believed caravan accommodation was provided and the location wasprtfoably suitable tor only single men. Mr Wallbank accepted that the jobs scheme had provided valuable income for Fijian people and was seen as an adjunct to New Zealand’s foreign aid. “My concern still was that East Coast people should have a priority,” he said. Mr Wallbank said the Minister of Immigration, Mr Rodger, had also called for a report