Clare
Curran
Broadcasting Spokesperson

Workers exploited in Māori screen industry

The ugly underbelly of low wages and unsafe working conditions for Maori working in television is a direct result of an exploitative management culture and funding starvation by Government, says Labour’s Broadcasting Spokesperson Clare Curran.

“Preliminary results from a Ngā Aho Whakaari Māori Screen Guild of Aotearoa survey show two thirds of Maori screen workers in television are working long hours, with low to no pay, in unsafe conditions as expectations of the workforce continue to rise.

“This is a massive wake-up call for Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams and is the consequence of seven years of frozen funds to Maori TV and TVNZ.

“The question should be asked why haven’t they fought harder for adequate funding? Instead both organisations have experienced cuts of more than 20% in real terms since 2009 which means the workforce is being asked to do more for less.

“It’s exploitation if people are being asked to work for nothing or a koha because the kaupapa is Maori. Management are directly accountable if the workforce is being asked to work long hours in unsafe conditions.

“Both Maori Television and TVNZ need to undertake an urgent review of the working conditions and salaries of Maori screen workers.

“Health and Safety statistics show Maori are more likely than other ethnic groups to be seriously injured at work. It’s unacceptable that this is yet another industry where exploitation appears rife,” says Clare Curran.

ENDS

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