{"id":49101,"date":"2023-12-22T14:43:31","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T03:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/?p=49101"},"modified":"2023-12-22T16:29:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T05:29:24","slug":"immigration-updates-aewv-and-worker-protection-act-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteimmigration.com\/nz\/news\/immigration-updates-aewv-and-worker-protection-act-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Immigration Updates: AEWV and Worker Protection Act 2024\u202f"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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_<\/span><\/p>

AEWV Median Wage Increase Paused<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

In a recent development<\/a><\/span>, the New Zealand government has decided to pause the planned increase in the median wage rate for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), originally scheduled for February 2024. This decision means that the current wage rates will remain in place, including NZ$29.66 per hour for most AEWV holders and NZ$26.16 per hour for those covered by the Care Workforce Sector Agreement. Specific wage rates for other sector agreements and roles with exemptions to the median wage will also be unaffected.<\/p>

The pause extends to partners of workers, ensuring that the median wage requirements for this category remain unchanged. However, it’s important to note that the median wage will still increase to NZ$31.61 in February 2024 for other visa categories that utilise it, such as the Skilled Migrant Category and Parent Category. Applications submitted before the increase will not be impacted, and further details on AEWV settings changes will be announced in the future.<\/p>

This pause provides the government with time to explore alternatives to the median wage threshold in the AEWV, aligning with their commitment to eventually remove it. Additional information on future median wage settings for the AEWV will be communicated in due course.<\/p>

Worker Protection Act Takes Effect in January<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Starting January 6, 2024, the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Act<\/a> <\/span>will come into force, ushering in significant changes to immigration and employment regulations. Aimed at safeguarding all workers in New Zealand from exploitation, the Act introduces a new requirement for employers to respond to information requests from labour inspectors or immigration officers within 10 working days.<\/p>

Key provisions of the Act include:<\/strong><\/p>