Migrant Bus Drivers Rally in Auckland for Residency, Face Confrontation

A rally by migrant bus drivers in Auckland advocating for easier residency pathways was disrupted by a confrontation, highlighting their plea for lower English language requirements and certainty for their futures in New Zealand. The protest underlines the challenges faced by many, including Filipino drivers, recruited to address New Zealand's post-pandemic workforce needs.

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On September 15, migrant bus drivers in Auckland rallied to advocate for a lower English language threshold for their residency applications and to seek more secure futures in New Zealand. The demonstration, part of the "Migrants Are Not Disposable Workers" campaign by the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG), drew attention to the challenges faced by drivers recruited to fill critical workforce gaps, as reported by Scoop News.

The rally experienced a confrontation when a member of the public verbally attacked participants, telling them to "go back to their own country." Security intervened, and police questioned an individual, though no further action was taken. This incident, reported by 1News, underscored the tensions surrounding immigration debates in the country.

For Filipino bus driver Jayson Zulueta, the outcome of these calls for change is deeply personal. Arriving in 2023 during a period when Auckland faced significant bus driver shortages that previously led to service disruptions, Mr. Zulueta loves his job and supports his family in the Philippines with his earnings. However, he, like many others, finds the current English test difficult and fears being forced to leave New Zealand in 2028 if he cannot meet the IELTS 6.5 requirement for the Transport Work to Residence pathway, as detailed by 1News and Auckland Transport's past statements on driver shortages.

UNEMIG coordinator Max Santiago articulated the frustration of many drivers, stating they are "good enough to work here but not good enough to stay." The union is pushing for the suspension of the mandatory 12-month stand-down period for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders after five years, arguing it effectively ends their employment and uproots families. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, however, maintained that drivers were clearly informed of the requirements when they arrived and had "plenty of time" to meet them, asserting that "no one’s being treated as disposable."