25 Dec 2023

Companies offer job to migrants hit in ELE group collapse

10:32 am on 25 December 2023
Tools on building site

More than 1000 permanent staff, casual workers and contractors have been hit after five companies in the group went into receivership. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Some New Zealand companies have started offering jobs to migrants who've been laid off after the closure of labour hire company the ELE Group.

More than 1000 permanent staff, casual workers and contractors have been hit after five companies in the group went into receivership last week.

Dennis Maga from First Union said at least 250 staff members are migrants on work visas.

More than 100 of those workers had been offered new jobs and were waiting to apply for new visas after the Christmas break, he said.

Maga said groceries and vouchers were also being delivered to the workers across Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

He said he'd been told Immigration New Zealand had set up a special team to assist these workers with the visas.