Migrant healthcare workers need fair pay as well as residency

Migrant nurses, aged-care and support workers need fair pay as well as equitable pathways to residency, not half-baked measures from National.

The Greens are calling on the Government to value migrant nurses and support workers in line with other professions in the fast-tracked residency list.

“Migrant healthcare workers continue to play a critical role keeping us safe during the pandemic. We need to look after them with liveable wages, safe working conditions and pathways to residency," says Ricardo Menéndez March, Green spokesperson for immigration.

“The Green Party wants to see nurses, midwives, aged-care and support workers paid what they deserve for the crucial role they play in our health and caring workforce, as well as ensuring these migrant workers have genuine pathways to residency.

“Those who leave nursing or support work shortly after entering are leaving because they are exhausted, overworked and seriously underpaid, as opposed to their residency status.

“National and ACT are being disingenuous when they claim to care about getting migrant health workers into Aotearoa quickly, but are content with keeping them underpaid once they get here.

“They showed their true colours last night when they voted down our amendment to pay care and support workers what they deserve and what the unions have been fighting for.

“Support workers, aged-care workers and nurses deserve higher wages, safe working conditions and to be included in the fast tracked residency list.

“The Government’s immigration rebalance is prioritising high paying, male-dominated professions by side-lining workers who continue to play a key role in caring for our health and communities.

“The Greens remain the only party committed to ensuring migrant workers have genuine pathways to residency and liveable wages. We urge Labour to review their pathways to residency settings so they reflect the aspirations of the workers and unions that represent them.”

ENDS

Action

Tell us your stories about our special places

Share with us your stories about the places threatened by being fast tracked for mining permits.

Action

RENAME, REWRITE, and REJECT the Regulatory Standards Bill

Submit your suggested changes to the Regulatory Standards Bill! Tell us how you'd change the bill and we could take it to the House!

Action

Anniversary of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill Referendum

If we were to legally regulate cannabis in Aotearoa, what kind of rules would you want to see around access, possession, use, regulations on sale, ...

Action

Save our Polytechs: Campaign Packs

Want to see more supports for our Polytechs? Use these resources to support the campaign!

Action

Save Our Polytechs Petition

Sign our petition today and join us in calling on the Minister for Vocational Education, Hon Penny Simmonds, to Save our Polytechs!

Action

Protect our tamariki - Sign the open letter

Every child in Aotearoa deserves to grow up with safety and stability, wrapped in aroha. Sign our open letter today and help make that a reality!

Action

Stop Growing Homelessness

Sign our petition asking Luxon and Bishop to take action to stop homelessness increasing in Aotearoa.

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Health Announcements

Story

Govt’s private hospital contracts little more than Band-Aid

The Government’s directive to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries is yet another step down the path ...

NZ’s Public Health system dealt yet another blow

This morning’s announcement by the Health Minister regarding a major overhaul of the public health sector levels yet another blow to the country’s ...

Report highlights urgent need for “life-changing” free dental care

ActionStation’s Oral Healthcare report, released today, paints a dire picture of unmet need and inequality across the country, highlighting the urg...

Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health

The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our he...

End of free RAT tests means more exposure to virus

The end of free Rapid Antigen Tests today is another sign the Government is giving up on the challenge of protecting the community from Covid-19.

Greens stand in solidarity with Buller community

The Green Party stands in solidarity with the Buller community in its silent protest for better healthcare.

Story

Overstayers need pathway to residency

The Green Party says latest figures on people in this country without a visa show the need to provide clear pathways to residency for the many peop...

Govt parent boost changes prioritise rich over poor

The Green Party is calling out the Government’s parent boost changes that benefit a wealthier minority while doing nothing to help reunite thousand...

Government tramples on the rights of disabled migrant children

The Green Party is condemning the Government’s move to tighten access to visas for disabled children.

Greens join call to create special visa for Palestinians

The Green Party stands with more than 30 organisations in urging the Government to urgently set up a special visa pathway for Palestinians.

Migrant worker changes fall short

The Green Party welcomes the Government’s decision to accept the recommendations of the review into the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) but ca...

Only the Greens will deliver a fair amnesty for overstayers

The Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration set...