Editorial One
Issue 388 March 15, 2018
Not for a moment think that exploitation of migrant workers and international students is peculiar to New Zealand.
We found similar instances reported in the newspaper of Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of Asia while on an overseas trip last week.
Except that for the most part, Indian workers and students are exploited by Indian employers in New Zealand.
This nonsense has gone too far and for too long.
We are pleased that the Labour Government is focused on addressing this issue.
It is time that the perpetrators are named and shamed and it is time that we curbed the rising number of arrivals on false pretenses- those coming here through the student path, only to gain permanent residence and later, citizenship.
Curtailing Immigration
To that extent, Labour’s policy to curtail immigration numbers is to be welcomed.
For, what is purpose of allowing people to pursue cheap educational courses that brings no value either to the person or to this country?
While in India last week, we heard a few people telling us that their education agent had promised, “Go to New Zealand, complete this course in six months and there would be jobs waiting for you. The Government will also make you a permanent resident.”
The fee for such balderdash ranges from NZ$ 25,000 to NZ$ 35,000, depending on the eagerness of the person and affordability.
It is no secret that too many migrants in New Zealand are being underpaid or not receiving what their employer promised them.
As Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said, “I know that even more can be done and with increased resourcing we will be able to get on top of the issue and ensure that migrant workers – whether they are from India or anywhere else in the world – do indeed have the same employment rights as all other workers in New Zealand.”
