5. Work Visas—Fishing Industry and Labour Market TestRICHARD PROSSER (NZ First) to the Minister of ImmigrationWork Visas—Fishing Industry and Labour Market Test5. RICHARD PROSSER (NZ First) to the Minister of Immigration: Does his department monitor New Zealand-based businesses to ascertain whether they are employing New Zealanders ahead of visa-holding foreigners; if so how?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration): Yes; Immigration New Zealand is involved from the very first step. The employment of New Zealanders first is one of the key principles of the Government's immigration policy. Immigration officers need to be satisfied that there are no suitable New Zealanders available before a job is offered to a foreign national who does not already hold a visa enabling them to work. The manner of that test depends on the occupation and the employer but that could include reference to the skills shortage lists a process of checking before an approval in principle is granted or an individual application for an occupation that is not on those skills shortage lists.Richard Prosser: Can he confirm to the House that this system of monitoring is working; and if he cannot confirm it why can he not confirm it?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: In answer to the first part of the question yes.Richard Prosser: How does he reconcile that answer with the fact that New Zealand - flagged vessels fishing in New Zealand waters are clearly advertising for crews with Korean qualifications and experience?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I am aware that there have been some issues in respect of the way in which the labour market test is conducted by some foreign fishing vessel fleets but the simple reality is there are not enough workers available to meet the demand for that occupation. The Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment are working hard to ensure that qualifications and skills are gained so that New Zealanders can take those occupations up. But it is challenging.Richard Prosser: Can the Minister guarantee that the minimum wage plus another $2 per hour is being paid to all visa-holding foreign crews working in New Zealand waters right now?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I can certainly confirm that for those people who are granted essential skills work visas payment needs to be consistent with New Zealand employment law and that the contracts that have been offered to them are checked by both Immigration New Zealand before a visa is granted and by the labour inspectorate if necessary during the period of their visas.Richard Prosser: Is he aware that Jaico a Korean-owned New Zealand - registered company operating a New Zealand - flagged vessel is recruiting for 100 Korean fishing crew; if so will he suspend their request for an approval in principle given that the advertisements are clearly shutting out New Zealanders?Mr SPEAKER: There are two supplementary questions there.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: In response to the first part of that question no I am not but I would not be surprised if that were the case.Richard Prosser: I seek leave to table a copy of the Jaico Ltd advertisements for 14 different fishing boat career positions. It is not dated. I believe it is unpublished. It was received by our office on 11 February.Mr SPEAKER: Is the member saying he is not aware what paper it is in?Richard Prosser: It is not published in the paper as yet.Mr SPEAKER: I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that particular advertisement. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is not.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.