CTU MEDIA RELEASE

18 December 2007

International Migrants Day Time To Commit To Decent Work For All

“Migrant workers have always been a vital part of our society, and on International Migrants Day it is timely to recognise their contribution to New Zealand and to recommit to quality, decent work for all workers,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“The CTU advocates for a rights based approach to migration, investment in good settlement outcomes, employment rights education, stronger enforcement of labour standards and quality employment for all workers – migrant or local.”

The Immigration Bill, currently before Parliament needs to be strengthened to include “good employer” requirements for labour migration.

“Just as good employer requirements would help to attract migrants, a clear statement about good employer practice would also ensure that migration does not undermine the good employment and employer experiences of New Zealand workers.”

“Many migrants experience difficulties in the workplace, and the CTU is running a migrant workers project to find out more about this and look at possible solutions.”

“This involves building links with migrant communities, developing a work rights leaflet in four languages and delivering seminars for migrant workers and union organisers who work with migrant workers.”

“In a globalised world we need effective cooperation on migration internationally, and New Zealand’s immigration framework would be strengthened by formal recognition in the Immigration Act of ILO conventions we have signed, and ratification of the recent UN convention on the rights of migrant workers and their families,” Carol Beaumont said.

Ends.

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