Level 4 Cookery Qualification Removed
Responding to pressure from industry, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced on Sunday 9 October measures targeted to support our industry.
- Level 4 qualification requirement removed from 18 October
- Exemption to median wage for some roles to be set at 95% of median wage from April 2023 – April 2024
- Government acknowledges changes are in response to industry pressure
The Association has met with both the Minister and Immigration NZ to formally request the removal of the Level 4 qualification requirement for chefs. We raised issues during the consultation process and shortly thereafter regarding this requirement. We know this has been causing many challenges for those of you seeking to hire migrant chefs and we are welcoming the news that our requests have been heard and this requirement has now been removed.
For employers with recently approved AEWV job checks for chef roles, this means you can now offer the role to candidates without the qualification.
Covid Support Payment (CSP) confirmed and date comparator criteria updated
The Association has been advocating for additional financial support for hospitality and welcomed the announcement of the Covid Support Payment. The Association then challenged the eligibility criteria for the CSP subsidy and brought to the Government’s attention that the proposed date comparison was inappropriate for our industry as it compared to a period that is seasonally quiet and revenue was already significantly affected. Through our engagement with the Minister of Finance’s office, Treasury and in collaboration with other business organisations, our concerns were heard with the announcement of a change to the date criteria.
We know the change (adding a comparison to 2021) will not provide every business with the ability to access the support. We would have preferred the date comparator to be compared to a ‘normal trading period’ as this would mean many more members would be able to access help. However, this is a compromise and feedback from members has been that it does mean more are now eligible than before, particularly with having the two date options to consider when assessing the 7 consecutive days of revenue decline.
Red level settings updated to allow takeaway under retail settings
In December 2021 the Association questioned the requirements for those businesses that intended to operate under the traffic light framework without requiring customers to present a My Vaccine Pass (ie contactless takeaway only). The government had informed industry that employees would still need to be vaccinated even if you intended to operate contactless takeaways. As a result of our pressure, DPMC, MOH, and MBIE updated their advice and if a business intends to operate for takeaways only, the business will operate under the retail rules, as the public health risk profile is similar. This has 2 very important implications for takeaway businesses:
- if you are solely takeaway, staff do not fall under the vaccine mandate
- if you opt to not ask for vaccine passes, you can operate as takeaway, rather than contactlessly (AL3 style). You won’t be able to provide seating, but customers will be able to come inside for ordering and pick up.
Auckland Council announces changes to recognise challenges for hospitality
In September the Association wrote to Mayor Phil Goff and met with Auckland Council representatives, requesting Auckland Council provide targeted assistance for Auckland hospitality businesses, including extending licence expiry dates, fast tracking outdoor dining applications, extending outdoor spaces. This resulted in changes being announced to recognise Auckland’s challenges.
Immigration settings change direct result of #LightsOut
After months of advocacy, and collective action on this issue, the government decided it will provide relief to many hospitality operators, who have battled 18 months of uncertainty.
We’re pleased the Government has listened to our concerns and acknowledged the pressures felt by businesses across the country, while COVID border restrictions remain in place. The extension will give many of our businesses some breathing space, affecting almost 10,000 workers in the hospitality sector, while we build our future workforce.
The changes announced include:
- From 19 July 2021, the maximum duration of Essential Skills visas for jobs paid below the median wage ($27.00), will increase from 12 months to 24 months.
- The application process for Essential Skills visas will also be simplified for migrant workers remaining in their current roles:
- Employers won’t be required to complete a labour market test where a worker is applying for a visa renewal for a role they are already holding.
- These applicants also won’t need to provide medical and police certificates to Immigration New Zealand if that information has been supplied previously.
- Note, a labour market test will still be required where employers are filling a job vacancy.
- In addition, the new Accredited Employer Work Visa, which was due to come into effect on 1 November 2021, will be delayed until the middle of next year (2022).
Wellington City Council – Parking Changes
Under the Wellington City Councils Long Term Plan, Fees & hours changes were proposed for central city parking. These changes included restricting parking to 2 hours before 10 pm, therefore making it difficult to enjoy dinner or attend a show or movie. The Restaurant Association and a collective of local business groups petitioned the Council to amend this change with an open letter. On 30 June 2021 the council voted not to adopt the change in parking time, which was a win for the organising group.
Regulating to reduce merchant service fees
For several years the Restaurant Association has advocated on the costs associated with credit card transactions. In February 2021 the Government began consultation and the Association welcomed the opportunity to make a submission on ‘Regulating to reduce Merchant Service Fees’. We support the Government’s appetite to regulate merchant fees and welcomed the announcement in May 2021 that a Retail Payments Systems Bill will be introduced later in 2021 to require reductions in interchange fees.
Changes to current Alert Level framework requirements
Our reliance on an alert level framework to guide us on the requirements for trading will be in place for the foreseeable future. Alert levels will still play an important part as we navigate through the coming months, which will introduce a roll-out of Covid-19 immunization and gradual reopening of our borders (starting with Australia and Pacific Island bubbles).
The Restaurant Association has proposed some robust alternatives to the current regime, addressing both operational and fiscal changes that can be implemented to help support the ongoing economic wellbeing of the hospitality industry. Our advocacy on this has resulted in an invitation by the government to discuss our perspectives on improving the current framework.
Wage subsidy criteria
The Association challenged the eligibility criteria for the wage subsidy and brought it to the Government’s attention. This has resulted in the requirements being changed to allow comparison to 2020 or 2019 turnover. This will result in many more affected business becoming eligible for this much needed support after the week long level change.
Hospitality Springboard
Through our work with the Ministry of Social Development, a new joint initiative has been launched in 2021 to fill the critical skills shortage in the hospitality industry. The Hospitality Springboard is a pilot initiative that will initially work with around 80 members to upskill and train their employees so businesses can retain staff and keep them employed.
The joint Government-sector initiative will bring employers and employees together to nurture current talent and encourage career development in hospitality. It will provide wellbeing support, wage supplements and wrap-around training, ranging from three to 24 months across a range of courses – from short entry-level courses to certifications such as Licence Controller Qualification, leadership training and up to 2 years NZQA Level Four courses, such as chefs training.
December 2020 Immigration Changes
Following extensive appeals to the Minister for Immigration, the Government made a welcome announcement in December 2020 that migrant workers in New Zealand would be able to stay and work here for longer, following adjustments to visa settings. Immigration New Zealand indicated it would contact all eligible visa holders.
Tautoko Hāpai Ō – Hospitality Workers Support
Following support from the Government’s COVID-19 Workers and Workplaces Assistance Fund, the Restaurant Association launched a worker support service at the end of 2020 named Tautoko Hāpai Ō – Hospitality Workers Support initiative.
The service ensures hospitality workers are able to access support through an online resource portal, as well as employment opportunities and specialised advice. The service also aims to support apprentices who have been displaced due to COVID-19, and help them reconnect to employment within hospitality.
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