8 Aug 2022
'Blatant exploitation': Migrant workers packed in freezing, damp rooms for $150 a week
Summary
Date Reported: 8 Aug 2022
Location: New Zealand
Companies
Laconic - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 15
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Vanuatu , Agriculture/food/beverage/tobacco/fishing: General , Men , Documented migrants ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Women , Documented migrants )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living ConditionsResponse
Response sought: No
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 8 Aug 2022
Location: New Zealand
Other
Not Reported ( Recruitment agencies ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 11
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 11 - Location unknown , Agriculture/food/beverage/tobacco/fishing: General , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living ConditionsResponse
Response sought: No
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 8 Aug 2022
Location: New Zealand
Companies
Vine Strength - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Vanuatu , Agriculture/food/beverage/tobacco/fishing: General , Men , Documented migrants ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Women , Documented migrants )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Wage Theft , Restricted access to medicines , IllnessResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Stuff
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Vine Strength owner Ajay Gaur said the workers’ complaints were unnecessary. He said, “they’re just creating from the little issues to the big issue,” he said. “Every day they have new excuses, someone is sick, someone isn’t coming. Because they don’t want to work, they’re saying they’re having a bad experience.”
Source type: News outlet
8 August 2022
Migrant horticulture workers are being housed six men to a room, charged $150 a week to sleep in freezing and damp conditions which see them fall sick repeatedly, and then refused paid sick leave.
[...]
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo travelled to Blenheim incognito to investigate the workers’ living and employment conditions in July.
[...]
Conditions are so bad, some of the workers say they are desperate to go home, but have been unable because they are in debt to their employers for flights, work clothing, or tools. Some have so many deductions from their pay each week, they end up with as little as $100.
[...]
Sumeo said she witnessed multiple human rights violations, including the lack of freedom of movement (the workers had curfews), freedom of association (the workers were threatened against joining unions) and the right to culture (the workers aren’t allowed to drink kava, and are sometimes expected to work instead of going to church).
[...]