Woman faces charges over visa scam involving Pinoy workers in NZ

A 35-year-old woman is now facing charges in connection with an alleged visa fraud scheme involving Filipino dairy workers in New Zealand, online reports said.
A report on Radio NZ on Tuesday said 284 charges were filed against the woman by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The charges include deception, using forged documents, supplying false information, and forgery in obtaining fake visas for more than 1,000 Filipino farm workers, a separate report on Stuff.co.nz said.
According to a 3 News report, the Te Aroha-based dual citizen was in court on Tuesday for three fraud-related cases laid against her before the additional charges were filed
Magistrate Kathy Wilson remanded her on bail and gave her interim name suppression in exchange for her passport and a reappearance in court on December 14.
The New Zealand government has given the affected Filipino dairy workers a reprieve provided they have good records, pass health and character requirements, and confess to falsifying information about their work experience and CVs.
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse was quoted by Radio New Zealand as saying that Filipinos who "worked well on the farm while they're here, [have] made good connections in the community, and have admitted to their initial infraction" are most likely to be allowed to continue their employment.
Data cited by Stuff.co.nz from Immigration New Zealand indicated that there are 1,900 Filipinos in the dairy industry on temporary visas, 420 of whom are based in Southland. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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