New Zealand Needs Skilled, e.g., Sex Workers

♠ Posted by Emmanuel in at 4/26/2018 11:46:00 AM
Me love you long time in Kiwi-land.
Believe me, I was looking for something else when I found this rather amusing news story from the New Zealand Herald. Prostitution being legal in New Zealand, it turns out that their immigration authorities recognize sex workers and escorts as "skilled workers" going by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). It determines who gets how many points. That is, they use a point-based system for determining immigration:
Would-be migrants can claim valuable points as skilled sex workers or escorts, according to information on Immigration NZ's (INZ) website. But an immigration expert say it would be difficult for any applicant to succeed. The agency confirmed sex work/escort is on the skilled employment list, despite it not being on the skill-shortage list. A sex worker or escort is defined as someone as providing clients with sexual services or social companionship.
That said, it's unlikely that someone in this line of work can easily move to Hobbit-ville given the practical impediments to applying:
"The list itself comes from the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) list and not INZ," an agency spokeswoman said. According to information on INZ's website, sex worker or escort is listed as an ANZSCO level 5 skilled employment, and applicants could claim points if they were paid at or above $36.44 per hour, which is $75,795 based on a 40-hour week [my emphasis; the reporter was having fun with math given the nature of the mentioned trade]. The applicant would also have to be qualified in ways that include having a recognised qualification or have at least three years of relevant work experience.
How do these points-based systems work? Consider the Aussie one on which the Kiwi one is based:
Australia's points system was instituted in 1989 as a departure from the country's previous racial- and ethnic-based policy. To gain entry, applicants must accrue 60 points for such attributes as English proficiency, skilled employment, educational background and ties to Australia. Australia awards the greatest number of points (30) to people of prime working age. Applicants must also pass a medical exam and character test.
Hmm, that part about medical exams and character tests may prove problematic for folks in this profession. Again, while it is conceivable that a sex worker could obtain an NZ work permit based on being a skilled worker, it is unlikely. In fact, I can only think of one at the moment who qualifies having well and truly cleared the NZD75K mark, and she [although it can be a he, I presume] had the benefit of extra-curricular legal entanglements.

Will a US points-based system mean America won't run a trade deficit with other countries in this valuable service? Thinking of it, those Kiwis may be running unfair trade practices here. Maybe it's time to sic Peter "Death by China" Navarro on them. David Dennison, eat your heart out.