Immigration news

The Irish government and trade unions have become involved in the plight of foreign nannies and domestic staff in Irish households regarding national pay increases and working conditions.

New rules on working hours, holidays and privacy for immigrant domestic staff are being demanded by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The union feels that there is exploitation of domestic immigrant labour, and employers are protected from laws which prohibit labour inspectors entering private homes and investigating working conditions.

The New Zealand government is considering a plan to open New Zealand temporarily to unskilled migrants for islanders so to protect the neighbouring Pacific Islands from economic ruin.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the leaders of the Pacific Forum, Australia was not keen on the idea of having unskilled labour immigration. New Zealand is cautious about the question of labour mobility, but willing to look at it, he said.

Figures published in several newspapers over the weekend suggest that up to 25,000 jobs in the UK's National Health System could be lost to further job cuts by the UK government, reported the Times newspaper. Mounting debts to the service is the reason behind the government's decision to cut back on medical staff.

The reason for the possible axing of so many health workers is the British government's failure of addressing important NHS issues in the budget and the rising debt of the health system, said the Torries health spokesman Andrew Lansley.

Some Australian employers are confused by terms and conditions of visas with which they can hire international students. This is especially true in country areas of Australia, where employers often rely upon international students and immigrants to do work that locals refuse to do.

They are forced to hire unskilled inter-state employees, who are willing to work, leaving skilled migrants struggling to find work.

Starting on 31 March, Chile and Australia have agreed on a work and holiday visa that will allow young people to work and travel for up to 12 months in the other country. Chile is the first Latin American country to agree to a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia.

Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone said the arrangements would give young people from both countries new opportunities to travel and experience different cultures.

UK businesses are increasing their reliance on immigrant human resources in the labour force. Studies by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reported that 85% of employers had experienced difficulties recruiting staff. Of those with staff shortages, 38% of these employers turned to migrants to fill these vacancies.