Ban employers who exploit migrant workers

Ban employers who exploit migrant workers

The government may need to consider greater sanctions for employers who exploit migrant workers says Union Network of Migrants (Unemig) coordinator Dennis Maga.

“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is taking enforcement action against 19 employers in the dairy industry after they were found exploiting and short-changing migrant workers”.

“19 of the 29 employers inspected fell short of what the law requires. This is a high proportion and it indicates exploitation of migrant workers is more widespread than many expect” says Dennis Maga.

“Migrant workers are often in precarious situations. Many rely on sponsorship from their employers and that means there is often reluctance to pursue complaints or grievances”.

“Many migrant workers are also isolated from agencies which provide support and advice. Some workers lack the language skills needed to interact with agencies while others work on farms in isolated rural areas where agency help is sparse” says Dennis Maga.

“Then there are the migrant workers who operate with a ‘debt of gratitude’ to their employer. Some employers know this and they exploit it to get away with poor pay and conditions”.

“The government can take practical steps to protect migrant workers and enforce the law. Inspections should happen regularly and not seasonally and repeat offenders may need to be prevented from hiring migrant workers or put on a probationary period” says Dennis Maga.

About: Unimeg is a network of migrant workers within FIRST Union which aims to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers in New Zealand.

ENDS

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