New Zealand looks offshore to rebuild after earthquake
New Zealand is looking offshore for hundreds of workers to rebuild roads, railways and buildings after this month's earthquake amid a shortage of local workers in an overstretched construction industry. Highly-qualified professionals such as engineers could get skilled migrant visas that allow them to settle in the country - adding some extra demand to the housing market. Foreign labourers would usually receive year-long temporary permits to work in New Zealand and are most likely to live in temporary accommodation. New Zealand was still dealing with the aftermath of the 2011 quake that destroyed much of Christchurch when this month's 7.8 magnitude quake shook the country, killing two people, setting off destructive landslides and cutting of the country's main highway. "We can't get enough people to fill the demand currently the earthquakes kick in and you need even more people," said Kevin Everett, director of Building Recruitment, an Auckland-based agency that finds the majority of its workers from overseas, mainly in South Africa. "We're looking for hundreds of people, in all aspects of the industry."
Tags : INTERNATIONAL