"Concerns immigration policies eroding RSE workers’ rights – unions,"

...

There were close to 9000 workers in Aotearoa under the Recognised Seasonal Employer, or RSE scheme, at present.

They came from Pacific Island nations like Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa and were a vital part of the horticulture workforce.

But unions were concerned the coalition Government’s new immigration policies were eroding migrant workers’ rights.

The Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said recent changes to the RSE scheme from September, like increasing the cap to 20,750 workers, were driven by increased demand from employers wanting more workers.

Other changes included employers being required to pay workers an average of 30 hours a week over four weeks, lifting a pause on accommodation cost increases and lifting the requirement to pay workers 10% above the minimum wage, which would only apply to experienced workers.

...

MBIE’s acting national manager Pacific, Faamata Laumalili, said employers were expected to ensure pastoral care was available for workers, that they received adequate training and that employers maintained good community relationships with churches, for example.

...

But co-convener for Workers’ First Union’s Pasefika Fono, Antonia Lili’i, said there was little accountability from the home countries once their citizens have left for New Zealand.

She said any blame for exploitation was shared by both the host and home countries.

“When you say migrants, there’s exploitation, there’s RSE workers, there’s exploitation, yeah because our people, it’s cheap labour.

“In terms of the working conditions that we’re trying to fight as unions, why can’t they have the same standard rates, the same entitlements that a normal employee in New Zealand is entitled to?”...

The Union Network of Migrants’ RSE organiser, Mikee Santos, said unfortunately there are still cowboys exploiting workers for financial gain.

He said with New Zealand’s growing reliance on migrant workers, MBIE must make significant efforts to better ensure abuse was minimised.

...