19 January 2005
Cheap Labour Imports
New Zealand First has grave concerns about the pattern of New Zealand workers being pushed out of their jobs to make way
for cheap immigrant labour.
“It is outrageous that Independent Fisheries has been given the green light by the Immigration Service to hire a foreign
crew for one of its ships – just months after it laid off its New Zealand crew,” said Associate Immigration spokesperson
Dail Jones.
“The Immigration Service is now actively promoting the dubious practise of employers improving their profit margin by
reducing their labour costs with cheap imported labour.
“Out of the 42 New Zealand crew who were made redundant by Independent Fisheries last year, only 13 have been
reappointed. This is not surprising given that under the new contract conditions they were only offered half of their
previous pay.
“This practise will send New Zealand further down the path of being a low wage economy, easily exploited by foreign
companies.
“New Zealand First will put an end to this practise. We are committed to a high wage, and highly skilled workforce that
puts New Zealander’s first”, said Mr Jones.
ENDS