Worker exploitation cases damaging NZ equal employment record
Exploitation of migrant workers is a black mark on New Zealand’s standing as a fair country that strives to provide equal opportunities, says EEO Trust chief executive Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie.

“We’re a country that prides itself on being fair and honest so we need to speak up when we see those standards being compromised in our workplaces.”

In a case publicised last week, an Auckland-based Korean food-preparation factory is alleged to have exploited migrant workers with 16-hour working days with few or no breaks, below minimum wages and no employment contracts.

“It is really important that when abuses against migrant workers are identified, such as those alleged against a North Shore factory last week, the agencies that respond make it extremely clear these abuses of basic rights will not be tolerated.”

“We want all migrant workers to understand their basic rights as employees in New Zealand. We understand it can be frightening to speak out against these abuses but New Zealand cannot be a country that tolerates worker exploitation.”

Information on basic employment rights, including annual leave, break entitlements, minimum wages and NZ work entitlements, is available on the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment website http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/minimumrights/

Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie says while the exploitation in the recent case involved serious employment breaches, there are more subtle exploitations and discriminations taking place in workplaces around the country.

“English-only language policies in workplaces, or job advertisements that specify applicants must have English as their first language or racial slurs – all of these are infringements on an individual’s basic rights.”

“On a human rights level, each case of worker exploitation or abuse is saddening and it has a knock-on effect for families and communities. On an employment rights level, it is a business issue and it is the responsibility of every organisation to ensure they are meeting the basic rights of each of their employees.”

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