Immigration New Zealand will not renew the work visa of a South African man, who was a chef in Christchurch, because he is obese. He is 178 cm tall, weighs 130kg and has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40. Immigration New Zealand said that anyone with a BMI of more than 35 could have major health problems which would cost the country. Obese people have more risk of diabetes, heart disease, and disease to joints like knees or hips.
It is strange that Immigration New Zealand gave this man a work visa 6 years ago when he weighed 30kg more. Every year he had to renew his work visa but this year, Immigration New Zealand refused to renew it. Perhaps it is because he already has a problem with his knee.
His wife is a waitress in the same restaurant. Their employer said they are “great employees” and good workers. They have been working here for 6 years and paying New Zealand taxes.
There is a shortage of chefs in New Zealand. This is one of the occupations on the Immigration New Zealand skill shortage list.
New Zealand already has many obese people. We are third in obesity in the developed world, after USA and Mexico.
Vocabulary
• renew – continue the visa for another year
• obese (adj), obesity (n) – overweight
• BMI – Wikipedia has a chart showing height, weight and BMI
• risk (of) – danger, more likely to happen
• diabetes – a disease where a person has high blood sugar
• refused – said ‘No’
• employer – boss
• employee – worker
• shortage – not enough
• skill shortage list – Immigration New Zealand has a long list of skills needed in New Zealand.