Darien FENTON
Associate Immigration Spokesperson

4 October 2013                 MEDIA STATEMENT
Migrant worker law changes useless without enforcement

Changes to immigration law to increase penalties for employers who exploit migrant workers will be ineffective without a significant boost to enforcement resources, says Labour’s Associate Immigration spokesperson Darien Fenton.

"Migrant worker exploitation is growing in New Zealand, as highlighted by reports this week of Christchurch workers not being paid for holidays and annual leave, and not on employment agreements.

"The law will still depend on migrant workers coming forward. That is a highly risky proposition for a worker new to New Zealand whose visa status often depends on their job.

"Even with added protections, it is particularly difficult for migrant workers to put their jobs on the line and hope they will be able to find other work.

"This law can only be effective with greater numbers of labour and immigration inspectors, working towards a common goal.

"Current inspectorate staffing levels are simply inadequate for the task.

“If the Government is serious about stamping out this abuse, then the law has to be matched with real resources,” Darien Fenton says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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