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$37.6 million to support migrant workers stranded overseas

Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 16, 2020

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters (Facebook)

Foreign nationals holding temporary visas issued by the New Zealand government will be provided with short-term support in addition to help in their return to New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Poto Williams have said.

In a statement, they said that the Programme, which will come into effect from July 1, 2020, aims to provide temporary, in-kind assistance to those eligible to meet their immediate needs including basic food supplies and accommodation.

Mr Peters said that about 60,000 foreign nationals have left New Zealand since March 2020.

“We have been working with foreign missions since April this year, asking them to assist their citizens (meaning temporary visa-holders of New Zealand) including repatriation efforts. Our government expects that they will provide ongoing support to their citizens,” he said.

Ms Williams said that the financial and other support will be provided through the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Groups, since the Programme relates to Covid-19 pandemic.

Support to return home

“This Programme will provide short-term assistance until they find means of supporting themselves in New Zealand or are able to return home. The Community and Voluntary Sector has played a key role in the Covid-19 Emergency Response and involving an NGO to deliver the Programme leverages the capability and networks of the sector,” she said.

Mr Peters said that foreign nationals in New Zealand, unable to support themselves should be seeking to depart New Zealand as soon as possible if they cannot support themselves here, and should contact their embassy, high commission or consulate for assistance in the first instance.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to work closely with foreign missions to help them provide consular support for their citizens who remain in New Zealand,” he said.

Migrant workers in New Zealand

Foreign nationals who are not able to return home immediately (not because of their volition but because of border restrictions elsewhere) will receive financial and other assistance.

However, they should prove that they are experiencing serious hardship and all other avenues of potential support (such as access to savings or other assets, insurance cover, consular assistance from their own foreign missions, or help from family and friends) has been exhausted. 

“This assistance mirrors support a number of countries have given to New Zealand citizens. The Department of Internal Affairs is currently identifying a suitable provider and an announcement on who that is will be made soon,” Mr Peters said.

What the Programme covers

There would be no financial support but the Programme provides for (a) food and household goods required to meet urgent and immediate needs (b) blankets, hot water bottles and basic clothing to meet urgent and immediate needs (c) over-the-counter medication to meet urgent and immediate needs (d) accommodation including rent, boarding costs and rent arrears (e) utilities (electricity, gas). The support scheme excludes internet and broadband connection and plans

if required, pre-paid phone cards to enable emergency communication and communication with consulate/embassy; petrol/travel (limited to travel required to shift to new location for employment purposes or to airport to leave New Zealand).

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