Budget 2014: Tackling migrant exploitation in Canterbury
The Government is spending more than $7 million over the next four years to boost the number of labour inspectors and
immigration officers dealing with the Canterbury rebuild.
The money will be used to fund an additional six labour inspectors and seven immigration staff, including three
compliance officers and two investigators, and will result in an extra 20 investigations of serious or high-profile
cases over an initial 18-month period.
It will also deliver an employment standards audit programme for businesses associated with rebuild activity.
The Canterbury rebuild is one of the Government’s four main priorities and this extra money shows how seriously it takes
migrant exploitation, Labour Minister Simon Bridges and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse say.
“The absolute bottom line is that migrant workers have the same employment rights and protections as all other workers
in New Zealand,” Mr Bridges says.
“It is unlawful for employers to pay their employees less than the minimum wage, or not properly pay them for their
work.”
Mr Woodhouse says as the Christchurch rebuild gains momentum and migrant worker numbers rise, the Government is
committed to equipping Immigration New Zealand and the Labour Inspectorate with the resources they need.
“This Government is determined to do whatever it takes to stamp out any unlawful practices and provide assurances that
maintain our international reputation,” he says.
“A number of measures have already been taken to tackle migrant exploitation. A change introduced in June last year,
under which migrants who report genuine incidents of serious workplace exploitation will be allowed to remain in New
Zealand until they apply for a visa, is already reaping rewards.”
A new Bill that imposes tough penalties on employers who exploit migrant workers who are legally entitled to work here
is currently going through Parliament. The maximum penalty is a jail sentence of up to seven years, a fine not exceeding
$100,000, or both.
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