Immigration New Zealand helping Pike River migrant workers
by Mary Jones - December 21, 2010
New Zealand, 21st December: The New Zealand immigration department is working to extend all help to the immigrant workers who had been formerly working at Pike River coal.
The explosions in the mine last month that left 29 of its employees dead lead to its closure.
According to Nigel Bickle, the deputy head of New Zealand Immigration department, neither the workers nor their families were asked to move out of the nation. He maintained that it is indeed a tough time for the affected immigrant workers as well as their families.
Mr. Bickle gave reassurances to the affected migrant workers that they will have the provision of staying in New Zealand on temporary visa in order to get sufficient time for making any decision about their future.
Moreover, the aim is to ensure that all such immigrant workers who have lost their source of livelihood get sufficient time to seek alternative offers of jobs and to arrive at a decision about the coming times, the immigration minister asserted.
The total number of affected immigrant workers is 17 out of which six hail from the UK, seven are from South Africa and one is from Germany, an official spokeswoman of Department of Labor stated.
Each request will be dealt on the basis of each individual case and the duration as well as the type of New Zealand visa to be issued will solely depend upon the individual circumstances.
Last week, the officials of the New Zealand immigration department were in Greymouth having a talk with the affected immigrant workers at the New Zealand offices in order to explore various options available before them.
Some of the immigrant workers affected by the closure of the Pike River coal were informed of further conversations in January next year to explore further options of providing assistance to them.
Mr. Bickle stated that the New Zealand immigration department is ready to provide any assistance needed by such immigrant workers at any point of time.
Meanwhile, donations worth $5.5 million have been made to the trust for the families of the 29 dead miners in the last month’s mine explosions.
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