Some migrant workers from India and Bangladesh who had been found living in overcrowded houses currently under investigation by Immigration New Zealand are abandoning their dream of securing employment in the country.

In September, the government unveiled an initiative aimed at rescuing scammed workers from further exploitation, offering temporary accommodation and cost-of-living support payments to help them get back on their feet.

While this support provided some relief for a period, an increasing number of these workers now face the challenge of securing employment in New Zealand, with some contemplating a return to their home countries if they fail in their bid to find work...

Hugh Miller, employment general manager at Ministry of Social Development, says 11 workshops have been conducted with migrant workers to assess their skills and experience...

Miller says 15 candidates have started employment after finding a job through these workshops, eight have pending offers and 40 have been shortlisted, undergoing pre-employment checks.

He acknowledges that many workers struggle to secure jobs due to a lack of skills matching specific roles or language barriers...

Temporary accommodation is also coming to an end for migrant workers who were staying in government-arranged lodgings. These workers received a letter last week informing them that their accommodation arrangement would conclude on Friday, 20 October...

An Immigration New Zealand spokesperson says the accommodation provided by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment is temporary, and migrants should be aware of this...