In seeking harsher penalties and punishment for employers who misuse and abuse migrant workers, First Union General Secretary Robert Reid has also called for educating such workers of their legal rights in this country.
According to him, some employers were becoming more unscrupulous and indifferent because of lapses in enforcement of the law, weak punitive measures and an inspection regime that was largely understaffed and hence woefully slow.
“Migrant workers, and especially temporary migrant workers, are vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Many have limited knowledge of their rights, sometimes find it difficult to communicate and feel their ability to speak up is constrained because they fear that their immigration status is at risk,” he said. (Read related stories under Homelink and in this Section).
Exploitation of migrant workers and international students is nothing new in countries, which depend on migration for its economic progress. Britain, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have laws that prescribe minimum wages, working and living conditions and rights of migrants on work permits.
Yet, they suffer in silence a variety of atrocities- working long hours, accepting less pay, often by cash, allowing their employers to evade tax and even immigration laws.
They suffer in silence to avoid loss of jobs, and worse, deportation.
Most of them come from India, and most of them, according to reports, are exploited by employers of Indian origin.
A majority of migrant workers come to countries like New Zealand seeking a better life, just like many of us, our parents and grandparents did. They should be treated with compassion and respect.
We need laws that are responsible but humane.
It is a pity that many migrant workers falling a prey to exploitation do not have their papers in order. In essence, they arrive here on visit visas, hoping that their employers or agents would regularise and legalise their stay.
There are then politicians and others who denounce immigration plans saying that New Zealand was becoming ‘too coloured to be called a First World Country.’
There is no argument against a smart, quick and efficient immigration regime, and strengthened border controls. There cannot be any cry against tightened curbs on hiring of illegal workers, requiring most businesses to verify employees against an electronic database of those allowed to work.
But there is a need for a regime that is tough on erring employers – those exploiting the helpless situation of migrant workers and international students.
Such a regime would also educate foreigners on their rights and the ways and means of redressing their grievances.
No one should be allowed to live or work here illegally. On the same count, no one should be allowed to misuse and exploit migrant workers and international students.
