Hiring a migrant worker?

Hiring migrant workers is an increasingly popular option for building companies. What are your thoughts and considerations?

Firm: Consortium Construction
Principal: Danny Whiting
Location: Christchurch
Staff: 32

Almost two years ago, we started hiring Filipino workers through a temp agency based here in Christchurch. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

The agency arranges accommodation and helps them settle in New Zealand by opening bank accounts and showing them around, while we ensure they know their way around our building sites, familiarise them with our health and safety practices and show them any technical differences in the building work.

It’s been amazing – they’re extremely quick learners and very hard workers. I have to reiterate the importance of taking a lunch break and going home on time at the end of the day, because they’re so keen on working that they’d stay all night if they could. They’re also the friendliest bunch of people you could meet and they never complain.

Most of them speak English reasonably well, so communication isn’t a problem, and my other guys are very patient in showing them how to do anything they’re unsure about. All in all, I think hiring migrant workers – who are very glad to have the opportunity to work in New Zealand – is a great solution to potentially short-term skills shortages.

Firm: Mudge Builders
Principals: David Mudge
Location: Wellington
Staff: 2

I’ve had my building company in Wellington for 32 years and, because I’ve never had a problem getting skilled staff, I’ve never considered hiring migrant workers. However, I’m well aware that a number of businesses facing increasing building work, particularly in  Christchurch, are already hiring or considering hiring migrant workers as an option.

All in all, I can see the value in having migrant workers come over when there’s such a significant volume of work required in some areas – as long as they’re trade qualified to the same level as New Zealand.

However, I’m also very involved in BCITO and, with apprenticeship numbers increasing, my only fear would be that we get these young New Zealanders to a point where they’re ready to enter the workforce and there are no jobs left for them. To ensure these young Kiwis can take on the jobs they’ve been trained to do, Immigration will have to monitor the balance carefully.

Firm: Amega Limited
Principal: Anton Locke
Location: Whangaparaoa
Staff: None (previously 2)

While I appreciate that migrant employees are often very hard workers, I feel as though we should use our own resources before importing people from elsewhere.

I acknowledge that there may be a lack of skilled Kiwi workers but I believe that, unfortunately, it’s as a result of a lack of investment in our youth; they may be looking for work but don’t necessarily have the support they need to get involved in the industry. If this is to be avoided in the future, then more support is needed.

It seems that in the meantime, hiring migrant workers is a short-term solution. However, if builders do hire migrant workers, I believe it’s important that they are paid the same wages as everyone else – if not then it drives down prices across the board and creates resentment on behalf of Kiwi builders, who can no longer compete on quotes.

I’ve just recently decided to contract my company to another, bigger company, to avoid dealing with quoting. I found it really frustrating bidding against other companies, whose prices were so low that they couldn’t be paying average builder wages.

Now have your say…

With building activity increasing across the country, what pressures are you facing as a result?

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Email your answer with your full name, contact phone number, company name, number of full-time staff and the city or town in which you’re based to editor@pmundersconstruction.co.nz. All responses must be submitted by 25 July. The answers to this question will be published in Under Construction September.