'At the same time, employers must have good employment practices and convince INZ that they have been (recruiting), and will continue to actively recruit, New Zealand workers,' added SSE policy.

It said work permit applications would only be approved where the applicant has not held an SSE or TRSE work permit previously and has not held any type of work permit since their most recent entry to New Zealand.

However, the amendment has eased some requirements for those immigrants who are already in New Zealand and have lost their jobs.

If a migrant worker loses his or her job during the probationary 90-day period, they get a further three-month visitors' permit and the children of that person will be allowed to continue their schooling.

(Amandeep Sehmi can be contacted at amisehmi@gmail.com)