For new PM Chris Hipkins, Immigration should be a priority - Business Leaders
The new PM Chris Hipkins is expected to make immigration his priority as expected by the leaders from various sectors like business, tourism and agriculture.
Being on the top job is challenging but it's also a privilege. Chris Hipkins is nominated to become the next PM of New Zealand and next party leader by the Labour Party after the shocked resignation of Jacinda Ardern.
Kirk Hope, Chief executive of Business New Zealand said that immigration policies for businesses in New Zealand are not stable now and need stability. Businesses are suffering due to a lack of skilled workers and have been crying for the same from the time of the pandemic.
New policies can enable the growth of businesses and many are not there for some time now. Businesses are looking forward to these policies so that they can grow properly, said Hope.
In addition to that, industrial relations are also a key, he added. Like if the government wants to increase the minimum wage, it should be reasonable. He also added that industrial relations are one-sided for a long time and now they want stability in it.
They want the government to address these issues. Any government can address these. An increase in the minimum wage to $21.20 last year was a kick in the gut for businesses.
Hope also said that Hipkins is a competent and accessible leader. He is also a good communicator, which was proved during Covid. In case he made a mistake, he would address it quickly.
Like business, the Tourism industry also needs to recover from the loss of workforce said Rebecca Ingram, Chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa. The tourism industry has been struggling for some time now, and it is essential to recover the industry to avoid a crash.
During the holidays, the tourism industry is witnessing a healthy return of tourists. 62% of tourist arrival was seen before Covid.
Also, the tourism sector recovery will help New Zealand’s economic growth. With the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, which New Zealand is hosting with Australia this year, the tourism sector needs its workforce at total capacity.
Similarly, the agriculture sector, which is facing a constant workforce shortage, needs workers. The sector has always been short on labour before and after the pandemic.
Also, the agriculture sector is not happy with the things that happened during the Labour party’s leadership. They are waiting for the Hipkins' response to the problems, the agricultural sector is facing.
