“nandito na rin lang kami,wag n’yo na kaming paalisin” (we’re already here, don’t ask us to leave)

  [ no research, just Google, and I don’t own any of the pics above, thanks and acknowledgment to stuff.co.nz, newzealandnow.govt.nz, and csrhealthcare.co.nz! ] THERE ARE more than 197,000 work visa, student visa, working holiday visa and other temporary visa holders currently in New Zealand now. In my humble opinion we can safely assume that at least a quarter of this number are our kabayan (countrymen) Filipinos. Some of these may have been in New Zealand for a while as skilled workers, some may have just arrived. Some might be trying their luck and applying for permanent resident status, while some might be classified unskilled but nevertheless doing important work for their employer and just waiting before they are forced to leave New Zealand under the stand-down rule. Whatever their status or visa type, they all share one characteristic: They all deserve to stay in New Zealand indefinitely, as guest workers, and logically, as permanent residents later. I know this is a bold statement, foolish even for some. But for the reasons below, and taken together I think present a sound argument : It’s good for business. Let me explain, in my own fifth grade method: In the next few years, New Zealand’s borders will be very tight, very strict to many many countries of the world for obvious reasons. For continuity of business and smooth operations, it’s far better to retain the workers we have here now, regardless of status. After all, they’re already skilled, already screened legally and medically, and because most of their countries of origin have themselves covid19 issues far far worse than New Zealand’s, it’s quite unlikely that New Zealand’s guest workers will go home within the next couple years. I’ll humbly use my own example Precious Reader. My wife Mahal had our scheduled vacation, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and my father passed away all on 2019, the year before The Year of the Virus. We had our chance to reconnect with family and country last year, and we won’t be going home any time soon. We also feel that instead of spending money for tickets and travel, our savings would be better spent sending them home to help out relatives. Multiply our situation a thousandfold, and it’s a good bet that very few Filipinos will be going home this, next or even year after next. So labor demand and labor supply can be reconciled, in our limited view, through extended stays of our work visa holders. It’s already been done twice, with the later one extending all visas expiring the last day of 2020 another six months. Whether because of the massive backlog of visa applications or because of employers clamoring for guest workers, the fact is New Zealand may as well keep the workers they already have, for as long as the pandemic exists. It’s good for business, and that’s the reason everyone understands. Our temporary visa holders deserve it, for two reasons. Majority of the Filipino guest workers in New Zealand have been working very hard and making a major contribution to its economy as health workers, builders, IT workers and in many many other capacities. With very little exception we have followed the law , paid our taxes, been active participants in our respective communities and have enthusiastically taken part in nation building. During the coronavirus lockdown, our guest workers, particularly the essential workers in industries that needed to continue operating, quietly continued their work without incident or drama, maintained their productivity and in some cases did more than what was normal. It’s not at all frivolous or facetious to mention that many of New Zealand’s allied medical (or complementary to medical) and caregiving workers are made up of Filipinos. We have quietly and dutifully answered our host nation’s call, when it needed us most and desperately, because a guest returns the favor to the host (meaning, our host country), and well because it’s what we do. I think it’s not too arrogant of us to expect that those who stayed here during New Zealand’s critical hour be asked to stay for as long as we are useful, and for as long as we are needed. Is that too much to ask? and lastly… We have proven ourselves. As good guests, as good workers, and as good global citizens. To be honest, Filipinos everywhere have overachieved during the pandemic, doing what they can and doing what they do best: work. Yes, we are good nurses, medical technicians and medical workers, but we are also good scaffolders, good carpenters, good dairy workers, good everything. may dahilan kung bakit andami-dami natin dito kabayan. (there’s a reason Filipinos are plentiful here.) it’s because as if you didn’t know, we speak above average and understandable English, we don’t make trouble, we are good team players, and above all, we are good workers. Since New Zealand has opened her borders to immigration and guest workers, we have proven ourselves over and over again. Sure, it’s a critical time and New Zealand needs to be extra careful with immigration. But critical times call for critical measures. We already work, act, believe and think like New Zealanders. We know we make a difference. All we ask is what most of you are already thinking: why don’t you let us stay? Thanks for reading! Note : do you feel the Filipino community as a whole needs to represent and articulate visa issues of Pinoy temporary visa holders? Please answer below in the comments section, mabuhay kayo kabayan and friends!