[ Note please that nothing in this blog should be considered as legal or immigration advice. Your Loyal Kabayan gratefully thanks and acknowledges the FB Live video / blog of immigration lawyer Atty Augencio Gene Bagsic (Bagsic Law) from which a lot (but not all) of the factual and legal background was obtained. Thanks for reading! ]
ON AVERAGE, Mahal sees around 20 or so Asians daily at the store she minds along with three others in their retail business (I can’t tell you what it is but it involves a service nearly everyone uses). Out of this number, more than half are kabayan or Filipinos, and that should tell you how nearly everyone in the Pinoy community in our East Auckland suburb is familiar, or at least is aware of Mahal and the efficient, friendly service she provides.
Early last week, a Pinoy asked her if she knew anyone worried about their current immigration situation, because based on recent events, he and his family certainly was.
Di ko na alam kung tatagal pa kami rito Ate, three years ang visa ko pero andaming bagong requirements.
Marami ring nagkwento sa akin na may mga bagong requirements, napusoy na di lang mga andito kundi mga paparating pa lang, sagot ni Mahal.
Mahal replied that yes, she had heard similar comments from other Filipinos, something she shared with me over dinner that day. We learned that new requirements not just for incoming or applying work visa holders but for existing WV kabayan or those already here.
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This is unusual for two reasons. Changing the rules is usually prospective or going forward, and shouldn’t apply to those who already arrived based on previous rules, based on fairness and commonsense. Otherwise people would always be looking over their shoulder and wondering if the height of the basketball rim will be raised or lowered tomorrow. (figuratively). Secondly, all affected by the rule are often given a short period of time, ranging from a few weeks to a few months, to prepare for the changes. The new rules took effect “with immediate effect” or instantly, meaning that very same day.
An existential issue is looming not just with our kabayan work visa holders but all migrant workers who want to build a life on top of the migrant dream.
Ayoko pang umuwi Ate, kararating lang ng pamilya ko, at andami naming utang na babayaran pa. Tatlong taon ang visa ko pero di ko alam kung makakastay pa kami ng mag-ina ko, said Bongski, who had become a regular customer of Mahal.
Below are instant thoughts this kabayan blogger, as a former work visa holder wants to share. They are not meant to be advice of any sort, just my kuro-kuro based on nothing more than my experience.
Huwag gamitin ang emosyon – one of the best things I’ve heard from a successful kabayan is, try to keep emotions to a minimum in any business situation (and a work visa relationship with NZ certainly qualifies as one. You and I entered into business relationship with New Zealand, meaning we have something to benefit from on either side, not because we like each other or want to help each other (though that may sometimes be part of the reason).
When something changes, like when there are already too many migrants in the workforce (I’m not saying this so, example lang po) or when migrants from some countries have abused the rules through fraud or illegal activity (not mentioning any names 🙂 ) either party may get out or change the relationship, although syempre between the work visa holder and New Zealand, NZ is certainly in a stronger position to do so. Love, friendship or similar stuff is not part of the equation.
Alam ko, nagpundar na tayo ng buhay natin at mahabang panahon para lamang makarating dito. Sa karamihan sa atin, umutang ng malalaking halaga maitustos lang lahat ng travel expenses parating rito. Masakit nga kung tutuusin. Pero walang pumilit sa atin, at it’s self-defeating kung pairalin natin ang emosyon tulad ng galit or kalungkutan sa sitwasyon ng work visa.
sort your paperwork. this is for both existing and applying WV holders. you have time while waiting for your papers to be processed, organize and file your paperwork needed for your migration, including work related documents like certificates of employment, SSS contributions, taxes withheld from your wages or salaries, and virtually everything related to your work. You will 100% need this not just for applying, changing or reapplying for your work visa but also for any other transaction between you and the government. Things look desperate now but something may change on the horizon, like a new job, new training.
Develop yourself. For the kabayan who already have their visas, you have 2+ years to retrain. If you’re a welder, try to become a master welder. If you’re a hammer hand, try to learn the skills to become a carpenter. I’m not sure about the terms, but you know what I mean. Try a different industry, especially if you’re interested in different things. Don’t be afraid to retrain, it’s a great way to explore new income options, and it just might be the way to residency in New Zealand.
Dont give up hope, magbabago ang ihip ng hangin. I spent more than 10 years here in New Zealand with a Labour coalition, a National coalition, Labour governing alone, the pandemic, and so many other situations. Ang daming nangyare, minsan akala na namin di na kami mabibigyan uli ng visa at uuwi na kami. New rules were proposed all the time, and ended up not becoming hard rules anyway.
Wag mawalan ng pag-asa, dahil habang buhay, may pag-asa.
