MELBOURNE (TIP): A New Zealand immigration official sparked a race row after rejecting a woman’s visa application for a job, saying New Zealanders are unlikely to hear Indian radio. The case came to light after immigration lawyer Ramya Sathiyanathan received an email from the immigration officer with regard to a visa application for a job which a client was offered. It was in papers and with Indian station Radio Tarana. The immigration officer objected to the employer saying genuine attempts were not made to recruit locals workers as New Zealanders are unlikely to hear Indian radio. “I was shocked by the racist statement,” Sathiyanathan,who is from Sri Lanka said. Area manager Michael Carley said the remark was made in context of the employer having to prove they had made attempts to recruit New Zealanders
New Zealand official’s ‘Indian radio’ remark stirs race row
