New Zealand says no to skilled worker
A skilled UK citizen was denied a visa to work in New Zealand. Reason? He is too fat. The Welshman, a submarine cable specialist, was hunting for a job in the country. But to his surprise his weight prevented him from gaining a work visa. New Zealand has introduced new immigration laws that could prevent individuals who fail a Body Mass Index test from working in the country. Obese people are potentially a burden on the New Zealand health service. Comments on an on-line forum indicate that quite a few people have had the same problem. The funny thing is, is that there currently is a shortage of skilled workers, especially in the information technology sector. New Zealand companies are forced to attract talent from other countries, yet this immigration policy apparently makes it hard for them to do so. Richie Trezise, the Welshman, underwent a crash diet to lose weight and has now passed the BMI test.
submarine cable specialist headhunted for a job in New Zealand was forced to slim down before this country’s immigration service would let him in.
Welshman Richie Trezise was denied an employer-backed talent visa when he failed the Body Mass Index test (BMI), a fat measurement using a person’s weight and height.
His BMI was 42, making him morbidly obese and a potential burden on the health service under New Zealand immigration policy.
“My doctor laughed at me. He said he’d never seen anything more ridiculous in his whole life. He said not every overweight person is unhealthy or unfit,” said Mr Trezise, who plays rugby and used to be in the army.
The 35 year-old went on a crash diet to lose many kilos and two inches from his waist.
He passed the BMI to begin work for Telecom here in September.
Mr Trezise is one of four highly qualified specialist technicians working on the upgrade of the Southern Cross submarine cable.
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