Darien FENTON
Immigration Spokesperson
23June 2013
MEDIA STATEMENT
Migrant worker abuse unlikely to be kept in check
Actions announced by the Minister of Immigration to crack down on companies who exploit migrant workers are welcome but
will require more than the meagre inspectorate resources currently available, Labour’s Immigration spokesperson Darien
Fenton says.
"Currently there are only 35 labour inspectors to cover the entire country and just one dedicated immigration officer in
Auckland.
"The much publicised prosecution of an Indian restaurant chain in the past two weeks didn't come about because of active
inspection by MOBIE, but because of complaints, including some I took directly to Simon Bridges, the Minister of Labour.
"Changing the law and increasing penalties will certainly send a message to bad employers. Unfortunately crimes against
vulnerable migrant workers will continue without sufficient inspection and enforcement.
"Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse told the Select Committee that he expects Immigration NZ to do more with less.
That sends another, and contradictory, message; that the Government isn't really serious about tackling this growing
problem.
"The irony of all of this is that there will be fewer rights – for all Zealanders – being enforced if the Government's
latest plans to slash workers’ rights get the green light.”
ENDS