Migrant nurses took a stand against exploitation and discrimination at a local rally in Palmerston North.
The two-hour rally, held at the Square, was organised by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) and the Kerala Association of Palmerston Inc., which represents the local Southern Indian community.
The rally highlighted the plight of internationally qualified nurses (IQNs), many from India, who are encouraged by agencies to come to New Zealand to work and then find themselves unable to secure employment.
NZNO has made a firm stance that recruitment agencies are exploiting IQNs and that the government needs to put measures in place to stop this practice.
"We really want to highlight what's going on with IQNs who are being recruited internationally by agencies that tell them they will be able to work here once they qualify for New Zealand practising certificates by completing a competency assessment programme," said Saju Cherian, an NZNO board member.
"These recruitment agencies will charge the nurses a fee of around $10,000. In addition, it costs around $10,000 to undertake a CAP course. The CAP courses are run by private companies that supply agencies with places on their courses to offer to these nurses."
"Costs don't include flights and accommodation to get here, so IQNs are spending around $35,000 to get here. They are ending up in debt and saying they cannot return to India jobless and unable to repay this debt."
Cherian remained firm in his standpoint that the ongoing unrestricted IQNs have put a strain on the system with regard to training, culturalisation, and finding adequate support for migrants once they are in jobs.
"IQNs are leaving well-paid jobs overseas to come to New Zealand with the expectation they will be able to work here," Cherian continued.
"Around 500 IQNs in New Zealand have completed CAP courses and are still seeking employment. Many are still seen as requiring additional support and training to meet the standards of New Zealand-trained nurses."
Nurses and community members met at the Square to support and raise awareness about the ongoing issue.
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