New Zealand: Chinese migrant builders left jobless after paying huge agents’ fees in latest recruitment scams
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Apr 2023
Location: New Zealand
Other
Not Reported ( Construction ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - China , Construction , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Dismissal , Right to Food , Intimidation , Freedom of Expression , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Displacement , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Wage Theft , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Apr 2023
Location: New Zealand
Other
Not Reported ( Construction ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - China , Construction , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Denial of leave , Dismissal , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Displacement , Occupational Health & Safety , Injuries , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Recruitment FeesResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: News outlet
"Eating instant noodles every day: the penniless Chinese builders left destitute by uncaring employers" 6 April 2023
Migrant advocates say it’s the latest audacious scam: Chinese builders are paying huge premiums to offshore agents for jobs in New Zealand, but finding no work when they arrive. National Correspondent Steve Kilgallon reports.
Qiang* pauses, opens his pack, and pulls out a packet of dried instant noodles. Through his tears, he explains that all he can afford to eat is a packet at lunch, and the same for dinner.
Qiang paid a lot of money to be in New Zealand - about $30,000 - but within three days of his arrival, had been sacked by the construction company which sponsored his visa.
He suspects the company received a sizeable kickback from the Chinese recruitment agent who brought him to New Zealand. “Whenever I think of my situation, I cannot stop the tears,” he says.
He says the agent has visited his wife at home to persuade him to withdraw a grievance he has raised with his New Zealand employer.
Qiang is not alone. Tao* was also sacked within two weeks of arriving in New Zealand by a different construction company after he asked to take two days’ unpaid sick leave after hurting his back on site.
Both men were kicked out of company-organised house shares despite having valid tenancy agreements. [...]