The disapproval stems from reports of exploitation and poor living and working conditions for migrant workers
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) has expressed its disapproval of the government's decision to welcome 3,000 more migrant employees, given reports of exploitation among migrant workers. New Zealand recently raised the cap to its Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to 19,000 in order to address the labour shortage faced by various sectors in the country. However, amid reports of exploitation and poor living conditions, the NZCTU said it wouldn’t give its stamp of approval.
"Given the current shortcomings and reports of poor treatment for this workforce, the NZCTU and our affiliates did not support the increase to the cap for the RSE scheme from 16,000 to 19,000," said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
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However, the union said it was happy to see the government has mandated employers to provide sick leave benefits.
"We are pleased to see the [minister of Iimmigration] issue an immediate improvement to sick leave entitlement, and the NZCTU and unions will be actively participating with industry to make some immediate improvements and progress on a range of issues," Wagstaff said. "These include improving accommodation, providing independent support and benefits, and better managing poor employers."
Wagstaff made the remarks after meeting with Immigration Minister Michael Wood to express NZCTU’s concerns with the current RSE scheme.
"As unions, we cannot stand by while there are reports of RSE workers in NZ facing exploitation and unacceptable working and living conditions," Wagstaff said. "These workers are vulnerable and need stronger protection and advocacy, so they don't become victims of rip-off employers."
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To address reported exploitation and poor living conditions among migrant workers, Wood previously announced that the government would do a comprehensive review of the RSE scheme in early 2023.
"A key part of it will be making sure that the scheme is sustainable, and that we do have good labour standards for all of the workers concerned," Wood told Checkpoint. "The RSE scheme is important to New Zealand. It's important for the workers concerned, it's important to Pacific Island states, but it must be sustainable, and we must treat people fairly."
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Wagstaff said they "strongly support" the commitment, adding that it should clarify how migrant workers' rights will be monitored and enforced.
"We expect that process to result in better outcomes for RSE workers. This review needs to result in changes that will bring us all confidence that RSE workers have clear and unambiguous rights to decent work and decent living conditions in NZ," he said.