Immigration is an issue that always finds a place in the political discourses, especially in an election year. Political parties usually outline their thoughts on the subject, and say how best they would manage immigration for the benefit of the country.
According to estimates, the annual net inward migration would be between 38,000 and 41,500 during the current fiscal year.
Elections 2014 is witnessing Labour take the lead and set the agenda on migration.
According to Labour Leader David Cunliffe, high rates of migration and the decline in the number of people leaving our shores would put pressure on housing, healthcare and education.
Cutting numbers
He has stated that Labour will consider restricting annual migrant intake to between 5000 and 15,000 people. He claimed restricting the number of migrants will cool the overheated Auckland housing market and ensure high standards of education and social services for all.
Such a policy is fundamentally against the grain of the Labour Party, which has since long supported migration.
Auckland is the biggest and most culturally diverse city accounts for the largest share of migrants in the country. Labour has representation from various ethnicities.
However, for a Party that is now struggling in the opinion polls, considering a restrictive migration policy contradicts its aim of creating a skill-based economy.
Bad image
Such a policy would discourage bright and promising people to migrate to New Zealand.
The country’s image as a student-friendly country may also take a beating since their hopes of gaining work permits after their education and eventually becoming citizens.
New Zealand is home to nearly 70,000 foreign students and the international education sector is worth $2.5 billion to the economy, creating thousands of jobs.
When Labour talks of pressure on healthcare and social services due to increased migration, it is forgetting that many of the staff members in these areas are migrants. They are people who tirelessly work to make a positive difference in the lives of the community.
The Party will benefit if it promises to check exploitation of migrant and resident workers and take stringent action against offending employers.
Borrowed leaf
Labour is trying to borrow a leaf out of New Zealand First’s policy on migrant bashing to attract votes. It has a potent election issue, namely housing woes faced by a majority of people.
House prices are sky rocketing with unmatched income, distancing more people from becoming homeowners.
There is a need for a more coherent plan of action from Labour to address the issue.
According to many, migration is a simplistic and misplaced answer to problems.
Even Budget 2014 failed to address concerns of first homebuyers.
Migrants have made significant contributions in all walks of life in New Zealand and would continue to do so.
We consider and respect New Zealand as our own country.
Labour needs a better policy to attract voters; otherwise, it would risk alienating its traditional vote banks, while simultaneously failing to attract new voters.
