Over the March quarter, employment rose by 15,000 in New Zealand, as the country continues to recover from the pandemic.
The decision to restart the working visa programme was welcomed by tourism employers, who would have access to a pool of offshore workers.
Job vacancies have also increased across all industries, with the highest growth in healthcare, manufacturing, construction and hospitality.
Beginning April 1, the minimum hourly wage in the country will increase to NZ$20 (US$14) from the current NZ$18.9 (US$13.2).
The bill will apply to parents, their partners, and parents planning to have a child through surrogacy or adoption, but will exclude abortion.
The net number of people getting off the unemployment benefit has increased for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Finance minister Grant Robertson has announced that employers can start to apply for the latest government wage subsidies.
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and Business New Zealand (BNZ) have called on workplaces to help the country get through the pandemic safely.
The revised Holidays Act will provide clarity to employers and help employees receive their leave entitlements.
Companies must show a 30% fall in revenue over seven days compared with a similar period in the six weeks prior to the heightened alert level.
The government is considering giving employees the COVID-19 vaccine the same way they get their annual flu jab at work.
The government has launched the Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP) – a scheme to help businesses and staff affected by the pandemic.
The unemployment rate fell unexpectedly and salaries increased, ruling out the probability that the central bank will reduce interest rates.
The majority of roles being recruited are not for entry level positions, indicating a longer-term skills shortage for senior talent.
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) is pushing for the removal of the rule that workers must be employed for six months before getting sick leave.
Sectors like IT and communications; trades and services; transport and logistics; and manufacturing have seen the most postings.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke out against companies that benefited from the subsidies, yet handed out large bonuses in 2020.
The pact will allow both countries to conduct businesses with greater efficiency, increased trust, and reduced costs or digital barriers.
The minimum wage hike is set to increase the incomes of some 175,500 citizens who work 40 hours per week.
More than 17,000 businesses in New Zealand have voluntarily repaid NZ$524 million in subsidies.
Lifting minimum wages has an inequality reducing effect, although there may be adverse company-level impacts in the short-term.
More support will be provided to SMEs in the country to cover operational costs and increase hiring.
The closure of borders since March 19 has had a detrimental effect on New Zealand’s economy. alongside restrictions imposed across the country.
10 million small businesses across Asia-Pacific will participate in Visa’s global programme designed to meet demand for cashless payments.
Businesses in South-east Asia, Australia and Newland are prioritising improving ICT and security resilience for business continuity plans.