New Zealand construction jobs: Irish need not apply (yet)
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CLAIMS that New Zealand is looking for up to 8,000 Irish construction workers have turned out be incorrect.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland this morning, Ian Simpson, chief executive of New Zealand's Earthquake Commission, said the bulk of the rebuilding work after the earthquake earlier this year will be carried out by New Zealand tradespeople, and that as of now foreign workers are not needed.
However, Mr Simpson said that when the authorities have exhausted the local labour supply, which he expected may happen later in the year, Irish workers will be high on the list. He said he had been in contact informally with Irish organisations who help with labour transfer.
"There are a lot of skilled people in Ireland who don't have a job at the moment. Obviously the language is the same and also the trade qualifications are the same, so when it comes to the point when we will be looking overseas, then Ireland will be high on that list," he said.
- Independent.ie reporters
