May 02, 2021
Productivity Commission asked to weigh immigration value
The Government has asked the Productivity Commission to inquire into immigration policy settings.
It wants advice on what working-age settings would best facilitate New Zealand’s long-term economic growth and promote the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Commission chair, Ganesh Nana, says skilled migrants offer significant benefits to Aotearoa in terms of generating employment opportunities and increasing productivity, but there are challenges.
The inquiry will build on the Commission’s recent inquiry into Frontier firms and previous research into labour market economics, firm dynamics, the tertiary education system, housing supply, local government, and resource management.
The terms of reference issued by the Finance and Immigration Ministers include:
– looking at the impact of large increases in net migration on housing markets and associated infrastructure, and on social cohesion;
– how New Zealand should think about meeting future skill or labour shortages;
– the treatment of migrant workers by some employers;
– and perceptions that any “crowding out” of domestic workers by migrant workers will disproportionately affect New Zealanders who lack work experience and qualifications – a group in which Māori and Pacific peoples are over-represented.
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