The Migrants’ Migraine - Part I

We have given up so many things back home, even the comfort of being with our family and loved ones, just to be here and be lured by the “greener pasture” presented to us as the so-called great shortage of skilled workers in the place. I know this is too early to doubt that our decisions were driven not so much by the hopelessness of our country’s situation but by the overflowing opportunities that only New Zealand can offer. Either way, I believe that this would not have been a cause for alarm had there not been a programme called “Work to Residence” visa.

The WTR, as it is, would probably be one of those examples or templates of a successful program that a growing country like New Zealand needs. But the headache starts when the period given to find a job is only 6 months. These pains that migrants have to suffer become even more intense and disabling when companies or employers, even government agencies do not recognize the WTR as a permit to work. It is a painful condition, when after being given a permit to work given by the government who sells the place (and it is doing a very good job on it), a migrant is not accepted because he does not have a Permanent Resident Visa nor a NZ citizenship. And he cannot be given a Permanent Resident Visa because he cannot get a job offer.

It is ironical that the root word of the word “migraine” comes from the Greek “hemicrania,” as does the Old English term “megrim,” which literally means “only half the head.”

I am sure the analogy ends there, that only half of the government is actually “bringing in” the much-needed skilled workers, while the other half is in reality driving them away. But as I am a holder of a 6-month WTR myself, although I got a job on my second week in Auckland, others are not that lucky (as if landing a job in NZ is really  a matter of luck), and even my job is not related to my skill category. 

At the end of the day, I realize that after having given up so much back home, one has to swallow that humility pill; do things that we could not imagine ourselves doing back home, if only to find that elusive blessing called a “job offer.” I pray that even after all these bouts of painful realities, we Filipinos would not forget that there is something in us that we can be proud of - the ability to thrive in the most difficult times. Even a migraine we can take, because we believe that opportunities abound, in a place called New Zealand.

And this is where I learned that lesson of Complete Trust in Him who gives me everything I need. With Paul I say, in Philippians 4:12-13

“…when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough. I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength.”