Lawyer Says New India Trade Deal Work Visas Offer Little Change
Published
A New Zealand immigration lawyer has said that the new work visas included in the trade deal with India are "cosmetic at best". The lawyer believes the visas offer a worse arrangement than options that are already available to Indian workers who want to come to New Zealand.
The comments come after Foreign Minister Winston Peters warned that the deal could lead to "open slather" for migrant workers. The lawyer's view suggests that the visa changes do not match this warning. According to the lawyer, the new rules would not significantly increase the number of Indian workers entering the country, because existing visa routes already give similar opportunities.
The debate shows how the trade agreement is being discussed in New Zealand. Supporters say the deal will strengthen trade and business ties between the two countries. Critics are concerned about how the work visa rules will affect jobs and the number of migrants. The full details of the visa conditions are still being examined, and it is not yet clear how they will work in practice.
The government has not yet responded in detail to the lawyer's criticism. The discussion about immigration and the India trade deal is likely to continue as more information about the visa rules becomes available.
Sources: RNZ
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