Emergency benefits for migrants are being axed from today – and advocates say the timing could not be worse.
The Ministry of Social Development has been providing benefits to migrants since it took over from a Red Cross support scheme last year. Advice on the Ministry of Social Development website says those still needing support should contact their embassy.
The founder of migration thinktank The Fair Initiative, Charlotte te Riet Scholten-Phillips, said migrants pay the same taxes and should be allowed benefits because Covid-19 had created extraordinary circumstances.
The issue is further exacerbated by a lack of clarity around immigration processing, with many skilled workers in a state of limbo as they wait for residency information.
Among temporary visa holders are an estimated 25,000 international students, who are limited to working 20 hours a week. There is a severe risk student will give up on New Zealand and return home, tarnishing the reputation of New Zealand and hurting the countries multi-billion dollar export education industry.
