7 May 2019

Immigration Minister under pressure over Chinese workers

From Morning Report, 8:28 am on 7 May 2019

The Immigration Minister is under pressure to deliver on his promise to help a group of Chinese workers who've been left high and dry. The group of about 50 men were promised well-paid construction jobs at an Auckland labour hire company but that never happened. They have taken their agent, Peter Li, and their employer, National Personnel, to the Employment Relations Authority. Many of the workers have applied for new work visas but have been told they don't qualify because they can't provide evidence of their previous work experience. The Immigration Minister, Iain Lees-Galloway told RNZ in January the government was working with Unite Union to help the builders with their visas. The Minister has declined to be interviewed on Morning Report. Mike Treen is from Unite Union. He talks to Susie Ferguson.