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I think all NZ businesses deserve all the reinforcement in order to survive the current NZ recession. It is truly the hard times and quite heaps of companies are struggling to stay afloat. In the US, businesses receive bailout money from the government just to prevent companies from closing.

In order to survive with very low demand, hence a slow production, it is logical for owners of businesses to reduce the workforce and cut the expenses. It is equally logical to retain the most productive workers. Workers that the owner thinks will help the company weather the recession; because a recession, like all storms in life, will pass eventually.

With that said, the latest brouhaha about Kiwis made redundant in favour of Filipino migrant temporary workers is a bit overhyped. They said migrants should be the first to go to redundancy before Kiwis. While the government should prioritise NZ citizens and residents, they should equally support local businesses who are trying their best to survive the recession. Businesses reserve the right to hire the best employees.

In a recession, a business owner must retain the most versatile and hardworking employees, regardless of race and regardless of tenure. People will be laid-off, that happens during a recession; nothing can be done about it. It is nothing personal, but business. In addition to that, the owner must also take into account what will happen to the company once the recession ends; it might be more expensive to rehire people overseas once business picks up.
I never cease to hear the argument that migrants sends money abroad, hence locals should get more favour. To some extent, a part of a migrant’s wages goes to families back home, but what people sometimes miss to consider is the contribution of a migrant’s skill to a business, skills that apparently a local cannot fill.

Under these present hard times, skilled workers are necessary more than ever. Please note that the definition of the word “skilled workers” is not concerned with race at all, he/she can be a migrant or a local. Businesses must run efficiently, with the proper skilled work force, and adequate support from the government. I hope people will not turn this into a race thing; this is just a simple case of a business owner making a judgement on who stays and who goes (I am of course assuming there is no foul play or abuse happening).

On a related story, check out, http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/outrage-new-plymouth-factory-lay-off-2580976/video?vid=2582515.