Migrant worker protection

Vernon Small at Stuff reports:

he Government is planning a three-pronged attack on employers who exploit migrant workers, including a move that could see them deported if they are recent arrivals.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said under the present law, a recent resident who committed a crime could be liable for deportation.

“At the moment breaches of the Employment Relations Act are more civil than criminal. But I think there have been some examples of where there have been quite exploitative … employers and I certainly want to have a look at whether or not there should be other sanctions,” he said.

Asked if that could include deportation, he said: “I’m not ruling that out. That’s certainly something I’m looking at.”

That could be one of the most effective deterrents, and I think definitely worthwhile.

“I have a particular interest in the employers of those people. Many of the employers are themselves recent migrants and residents … and are very often the same nationality as those being exploited.

“I think employment law at the moment does not reflect the special nature of that sort of offence. I’m looking at whether or not further sanctions from an immigration perspective could be imposed on those found guilty of breaches of employment law against migrant workers.”

There are some truly horrible examples of exploitation, where the conditions are more akin to servitude. Of course such conditions are illegal. The problem is a monetary fine is not deterrent enough for some people.