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zoey
Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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So, the benefits you are getting now from moving to NZ far outweigh the cons. You chose brown grass over green, sacrificed your good financial standing for NZ’s “obscenely low wages”, and dumbed down your CV by removing all your professional titles just to get a job. You say this is “ok for now”. I don’t know your reasons for coming to NZ but I think it would be safe to assume you also considered Australia and Canada, where a person of your stature (excellent qualifications and a considerable amount of money) wouldn’t have difficulty getting approved.
My point is, despite all of the above, you are choosing to stay. People migrate to other lands for many reasons, primarily for a better life for themselves and their children. It is admirable that you have related your negative experiences for the benefit of this forum, but I do not agree with you when you wrote, “I really wouldn't recommend people to migrate here at this time. Wait for better economic times, whenever that may be.” Who can say when the best time really is? Your statement may have discouraged someone from taking advantage of a golden opportunity. Each person is unique, what is suitable for one may not be for another. For potential migrants, the best preparation is to be thoroughly informed, not inundated.
NZ may not be perfect, but what place is? I know of some lucky people though, who have found their own perfect places and are very happy. When faced with a problem, they never whined and each one of them had the same overriding characteristic: they tended to look at life as a glass half full, rather than half empty. |
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eddie
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Hi, a friend of mine in NZ sent me this notice and I thought it would be helpful to post here.
The real deal on the situation of Filipino nurses in New Zealand
(Please read if you are a nurse thinking of working in New Zealand.)
Filipino nurses have been coming to New Zealand for some years now but the reality of their situation is not always appreciated. Below are some of the difficulties they face:
1. Debt: The recruiting agents (usually Filipino) charge excessive fees often for very little, sometimes only lodging a work permit. Some lend the nurses money at high interest for purchasing airfares, finding accommodation and jobs and upskilling at a tertiary institution in nursing competency. Many nurses begin their working life in New Zealand owing $5,000-6,000 USD to these agents. Some agents refer nurses to borrow from “crediting firms” ( essentially loan sharks) which charge astronomical interest rates of as much as 4% per month (40% per annum).
2. Misinformation: These agents often provide misinformation about the nature of the employment in New Zealand. Nurses are told they will be working in a hospital in New Zealand. However, on arrival most find they are to be employed in aged care homes, as caregivers to old people, unable to utilise most of their nursing training, unable to keep up their clinical hours and earning half what they had counted on. They have no choice but to stay because they are bonded to the agents for up to three years to pay back their loans.
Other misinformation given is that nurses cannot join unions which is completely
wrong. Union membership is a democratic right in New Zealand and it also
provides indemnity insurance for any accidents at work. It is not
dangerous to join a union in New Zealand.
3. Overwork: The nurses have to work very hard, sometimes working double shifts in order to pay back loans. Shifts are changed at short notice making it difficult to have any kind of social life.
4. Crowded living arrangements : Nurses are often forced into crowded living arrangements because that is all they can afford.
5. Expensive English exams: The Nursing Council of New Zealand requires all nurses working in hospitals to pass the Academic IELTS exam with 7 across all bands. This is expensive to sit and the reading section is extremely difficult. Many good Filipino nurses find themselves unable to get into hospital work because of this screen. You are encouraged to sit the IELTS exam in the Philippines before travelling to New Zealand. It is much cheaper, and the processes are easier.
For valid concerns (please do not overwhelm with impertinent queries) contact migrante_nz@yahoo.co.nz or a Wellington-based support group, Wellington Kiwi Pinoy at kinoywgtn@gmail.com.
The New Zealand nurses union is at www.nzno.org.nz.
The good news is that one of the district health boards which runs hospitals and other health services has signed up to a deal with the POEA to bring Filipino nurses here directly and thereby cut out the recruiting agents. If you can get into one of these DHB schemes, then do so because your airfare, initial accommodation and your nursing upskilling is paid for by the DHB and you are guaranteed real nursing work for two years. You don’t need an agent, simply speak to the POEA about it. However, you must have Academic IELTS 7 to be employed. Again: it is easier to sit this exam in the Philippines than in New Zealand so take the exam before you come.
New Zealand is a great place and we need Filipino nurses but make sure you are fully informed before you leave the Philippines. Don’t get “taken for a ride” by recruiting agents because it is very hard to take any action against them after the fact. They are operating at the very margins of the law but they are clever enough to stay within it. |
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wellingtonianbuddy
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 94
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| Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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ang lungkot naman ng thread na to!
well, for potential migrants, better read this thread so we'll all know what in store in NZ. |
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levi
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 234
Location: Auckland Central, New Zealand
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| Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| wellingtonianbuddy wrote: | ang lungkot naman ng thread na to!
well, for potential migrants, better read this thread so we'll all know what in store in NZ. |
Better give our kababayans what the real score is. Sure, we want them to come here but they should leave behind those rose-tinted glasses. |
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Ado
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Philippines
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| Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="eddie"]Hi, a friend of mine in NZ sent me this notice and I thought it would be helpful to post here.
The real deal on the situation of Filipino nurses in New Zealand
(Please read if you are a nurse thinking of working in New Zealand.)
Filipino nurses have been coming to New Zealand for some years now but the reality of their situation is not always appreciated. Below are some of the difficulties they face:
1. Debt: The recruiting agents (usually Filipino) charge excessive fees often for very little, sometimes only lodging a work permit. Some lend the nurses money at high interest for purchasing airfares, finding accommodation and jobs and upskilling at a tertiary institution in nursing competency. Many nurses begin their working life in New Zealand owing $5,000-6,000 USD to these agents. Some agents refer nurses to borrow from “crediting firms” ( essentially loan sharks) which charge astronomical interest rates of as much as 4% per month (40% per annum).
2. Misinformation: These agents often provide misinformation about the nature of the employment in New Zealand. Nurses are told they will be working in a hospital in New Zealand. However, on arrival most find they are to be employed in aged care homes, as caregivers to old people, unable to utilise most of their nursing training, unable to keep up their clinical hours and earning half what they had counted on. They have no choice but to stay because they are bonded to the agents for up to three years to pay back their loans.
Other misinformation given is that nurses cannot join unions which is completely
wrong. Union membership is a democratic right in New Zealand and it also
provides indemnity insurance for any accidents at work. It is not
dangerous to join a union in New Zealand.
3. Overwork: The nurses have to work very hard, sometimes working double shifts in order to pay back loans. Shifts are changed at short notice making it difficult to have any kind of social life.
4. Crowded living arrangements : Nurses are often forced into crowded living arrangements because that is all they can afford.
5. Expensive English exams: The Nursing Council of New Zealand requires all nurses working in hospitals to pass the Academic IELTS exam with 7 across all bands. This is expensive to sit and the reading section is extremely difficult. Many good Filipino nurses find themselves unable to get into hospital work because of this screen. You are encouraged to sit the IELTS exam in the Philippines before travelling to New Zealand. It is much cheaper, and the processes are easier.
For valid concerns (please do not overwhelm with impertinent queries) contact migrante_nz@yahoo.co.nz or a Wellington-based support group, Wellington Kiwi Pinoy at kinoywgtn@gmail.com.
The New Zealand nurses union is at www.nzno.org.nz.
The good news is that one of the district health boards which runs hospitals and other health services has signed up to a deal with the POEA to bring Filipino nurses here directly and thereby cut out the recruiting agents. If you can get into one of these DHB schemes, then do so because your airfare, initial accommodation and your nursing upskilling is paid for by the DHB and you are guaranteed real nursing work for two years. You don’t need an agent, simply speak to the POEA about it. However, you must have Academic IELTS 7 to be employed. Again: it is easier to sit this exam in the Philippines than in New Zealand so take the exam before you come.
New Zealand is a great place and we need Filipino nurses but make sure you are fully informed before you leave the Philippines. Don’t get “taken for a ride” by recruiting agents because it is very hard to take any action against them after the fact. They are operating at the very margins of the law but they are clever enough to stay within it.[/quote]
This is another issue when you have agent. This should always be considered.
_________________
May 10,2007- EOI Submitted
Oct 10, 2007- EOI Selected
January 24, 2008- ITA Received
May 7, 2008- ITA Submitted (Beijing Branch) |
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ann2
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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| I think they are discussing in the pinoy2nz mailing list some of the difficulties in NZ. This was prompted by someone writing about saying goodbye to NZ after failing to get a related job. |
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willie
Joined: 21 Aug 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| Hi ann2. Is pinoy2nz a yahoo group? Thanks! |
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ann2
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes it is. |
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NELOW
Joined: 24 Aug 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:32 am Post subject: |
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Hi guys,
I'd like to ask for some points when you mentioned "related job". 
You see, I graduated with a degree in Chemistry but I never did became a chemist here in the Philippines but rather explored a career in supply chain(logistics, inventory controller, production supervisor).
So if ever I go to NZ, what "related job" should I push? Please advise.  |
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willie
Joined: 21 Aug 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for your answer ann2. |
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wellingtonianbuddy
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 94
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | NELOW Hi guys,
I'd like to ask for some points when you mentioned "related job".
You see, I graduated with a degree in Chemistry but I never did became a chemist here in the Philippines but rather explored a career in supply chain(logistics, inventory controller, production supervisor).
So if ever I go to NZ, what "related job" should I push? Please advise. |
I think you are better off finding a "related job" that is "related" to your work experience (i.e. in supply chain management) as NZ employers will prefer experience over degrees......
cheers! |
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