Darien Fenton
Spokesperson on Transport Safety
Associate Spokesperson on Labour

4 June 2009
Media Statement

Pacific workers face exploitation of the worst kind

The Government's removal of the minimum wage protection for workers on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme is a worrying sign of the government’s willingness to undermine the minimum wage, Labour Associate Labour spokesperson Darien Fenton says

“The Government is allowing employers in the RSE scheme, which facilitates the temporary entry of overseas workers, mainly from the Pacific, to plant, maintain, harvest and pack crops in the horticulture and viticulture industries, to make deductions which will reduce pay rates below the minimum wage of $12.50 per hour.

“This is a totally unnecessary move and is exploitation of the worst kind,” says Darien Fenton.

“At a time of increasing unemployment the last thing we need is to allow employers to import workers as cheap labour. It exploits the Pacific workers, and undermines the minimum wage protection for New Zealand workers as well.

Darien Fenton says that RSE workers require more protection than most, because they are not in a position of being able to choose who to work for.

“I can only think that the Government thinks that minimum wages don’t matter for Pacific workers.

“You have to wonder who will be next,” says Ms Fenton.

ENDS

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