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A new online service from the New Zealand Government hopes to connect New Zealand employers with skilled workers looking for jobs in New Zealand. The service, entitled NetworkZ Online, is expected to begin working in Nov. 2005. NetworkZ Online will provide a network of job vacancies for:

• Potential skilled migrants - in New Zealand or overseas
• Returning citizens and residents of New Zealand and Australia, and
• Anyone else looking for skilled employment in New Zealand who is potentially or already, eligible to work in New Zealand.

Municipal staff in Halifax, Canada are recommending that the regional council endorse a proposed multi-year immigration strategy designed to attract more immigrants. It says immigration is a way to "increase population, grow the labour force and alleviate skill shortages. The report warns if municipal politicians reject the planned immigration scheme, it could suggest Halifax is not a "welcoming community."

Immigrant workers, mainly from Central America and Mexico, are rushing to the US city of New Orleans, which was recently devastated by hurricane Katrina. It is reported that building contractors are paying $17 an hour for clean up jobs, and that many of the immigrants arriving say they intend to settle in New Orleans as the work is expected to last for at least two years. It is believed that this could bring about a population change in New Orleans.

The Australian Government is continuing to hold Expos in Australia and around the world in an attempt to meet their needs for skilled workers. There will be expos until November 2005 with further expos planned for 2006. Australian employers are looking for people who meet the following criteria:

• Under 45 years of age
• Good English language skills
• Qualifications and/or work experience for occupations on the Skilled Occupation List Please visit our website for details about how you can attend one of the expos.

When Europe's justice ministers meet on 12 Oct., one of their topics for discussion will be increased information exchange between EU members states on immigration areas of concern. The European Commission has already proposed that governments circulate relevant data to aid EU efforts to secure Europe's borders. EU officials will report back to the council of justice ministers on incidents surrounding Spanish enclaves on the north eastern Moroccan coast. The plan faces some opposition from capitals concerned over cost and the operational risks of circulating information.

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