The government of New Zealand has decided to tighten rules for the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEVP), from October 31.
Announcing the decision, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the current criteria for MEVP are “too broad” and risk prolonging the time migrants remain in a vulnerable position, VisaGuide.World reports.
She said these settings need to be balanced in order to ensure they give migrants the ability to leave exploitative employment.
The six-month Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa was launched in July 2021 under the Labour government to help migrants get out of exploitative situations while staying in New Zealand in a legal way.
Removal of Ability to Apply for a 2nd MEVP
From October 31, the ability to apply for a second protection visa for an additional six months will no longer be eligible. However, the duration of the visa will continue to be six months.
Those whose initial MEPV expires on November 30, 2024, will have until October 30 to apply for a second MEVP. Applications made on or after October 31 will be declined.
The ability to apply for a second MEPV for a further six months will also be removed. A two-week transitional period will allow those currently holding an MEPV expiring on or before November 30 to be granted a second MEPV if they wish to do so.
The Minister Stanford said this ensures migrants have enough time to find further work or depart from the country.
She argued that the new measures, together with introducing an English language requirement and a minimum skills or experience threshold for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), reflect the government’s commitment to reduce migrant exploitation.
Green Party immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March told RNZ that the decision to abolish the additional six-month period for persons to seek alternative employment places them in a precarious situation, particularly during this time when the exploitation of migrants is increasing.
The government is gutting the one visa that exists to support workers who have been exploited, turning their backs on some of our most vulnerable workers in Aotearoa.
Update of Migrant Exploitation Definition & Other Changes
The definition of migrant exploitation has also been updated. It aims to specify that exploitation must be connected to a genuine employment relationship.
Make situations such as lawful employment terminations clearer, non-payment of final wages as a result of liquidation, and redundancies not described as migrant exploitation.