Hon Iain Lees-Galloway
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

MEDIA STATEMENT
8 October 2018

Statement on Chorus subcontractors investigation

The Government’s priorities to strengthen employment law, to better protect New Zealand workers and stamp out migrant exploitation, are justified by the findings revealed today by the Labour Inspectorate’s investigations into Chorus subcontractors, says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.

“Initial analysis by the Labour Inspectorate has revealed that of 75 proactive visits to subcontractors rolling out broadband networks for Chorus throughout Auckland, 73 had likely breached minimum employment standards.

“The investigations found that contracting employers were failing to maintain employment records, pay employees’ minimum wage, holiday entitlements, and provide employment agreements.

“This is simply not acceptable and it is not welcome in New Zealand workplaces.

“This activity is in breach of minimum employment standards required by law, it is clearly exploiting migrants, and it is a timely reminder why the Government is strengthening employment law to protect vulnerable workers.

“This also demonstrates the previous Government’s procurement process prioritised cost over the welfare of New Zealand workers in allowing contracts that encouraged this kind of behaviour.

“The Labour Inspectorate operation’s findings demonstrate why the Coalition Government has embarked on a programme of restoring fundamental rights for New Zealand workers.

“One of my top priorities for this term of Government is improving protections for contractors and workers in precarious employment arrangements.

“The Coalition Agreement also sets tackling migrant exploitation as one of this Government’s top priorities. We have already increased the number of Labour Inspectors and further work to stamp out migrant exploitation will begin before the end of the year.

“It is critical that our workplaces are free of the kind of exploitative practices that the Labour Inspectorate has found. It is bad for workers, it is bad for our reputation and ultimately, bad for our economy,” Iain Lees-Galloway says.

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