A Trade Union activist, who supports the cause of migrant workers, has called for better enforcement of employment laws and tougher penalties for erring employers who exploit migrant workers.
First Union General Secretary Robert Reid said that weak penalties, a lack of enforcement of existing law and a grossly understaffed inspectorate were responsible for the abuse of migrant workers.
“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.
Mr Reid’s comments followed a radio documentary broadcast on March 17 on the subject of migrant workers and their exploitation.
Monitoring employers
He said that employers who receive ‘approval in principle’ to recruit workers from overseas are not being effectively monitored to ensure that they meet their obligations.
“When they fail to meet their obligations, they face few consequences. In the case of a commitment to pay market-rate wages, or any other undertakings above the minimum code, there is no evidence of any enforcement at all,” he said.
Mr Reid said that his Union established the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) last year to protect the rights of migrant workers.
“Despite evidence of poor employment practices of some employers that have been highlighted in media, few prosecutions are ever made,” he said.
Mr Reid said that a number of changes were necessary to remove the sufferings faced by migrant workers and that a beginning should be made with stronger requirements on employers at the point of accreditation and tougher penalties for bad practise.
Better inspection
“The number of labour inspectors also must be increased from current low levels. These inspectors should conduct random check in areas where exploitation of migrants is likely to happen or initially reported by the community,” he said.
According to him the ‘movement against exploitation of migrant workers’ should include funding support to local community centres and organisations.
“Immigration New Zealand should exercise greater compassion towards migrant workers who are willing to expose the bad practices of their employers but who fear for their ability to remain in New Zealand,” Mr Reid said.
Read our editorial, Migrant workers deserve better legal protection under Viewlink.
