Migrant Workers
Migrants hamstrung by visas, little financial support
There are hundreds of thousands of foreign national visa holders in the country at present, 22 thousand of whom are thought to be in serious hardship but are not eligible for social welfare. Audio
Temporary residents fight to keep jobs as visas expire
Thousands of temporary residents are fighting to keep their jobs with their visas set to expire en masse. Anyone in the country with an expired work, student, visitor, limited or interim visa, with an… Audio
Immigration Minister on the government's plans for migrants
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway joins Kathryn Ryan to talk about what the government plans to do about thousands of temporary visa holders who are locked out of their jobs, schools and lives… Audio
The Panel: Linda Clark and Richard Harman
MPs being unable to manage their staff and the continued unrest in the U.S. are on the agenda for this week's Sunday Morning panel discussion with guests Linda Clark and Richard Harman. Audio
Employers ask - when can we get our migrant workers back
Allowing Avatar film crew into the country while thousands of other New Zealand visa holders remain locked out has incensed those working to get them home. Audio
Employers won't be able to rely on migrant workers
Experts are telling employers they'll need to start looking at ways to diversify their workforce, with migrant numbers forecast to significantly reduce in the coming years.
Older workers and younger… Audio
From Rot to Riches
Millions of dollars worth of New Zealand fruit and grapes were at risk of rotting on the branches due to a worker shortage. Until a bunch of growers took a risk. Produced by Eva Corlett. Audio
Shane Jones: Govt ‘caught between two poles’
Forestry and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says while New Zealand should bring in more Pacific workers, we also need to ensure the potential workforce of young kiwis are prepared… Video, Audio
Forestry contractor calls for minister’s resignation over visa delays
A forestry contractor is calling for the immigration minister's resignation saying delays in processing migrant worker visas is costing the industry and his disadvantaged region hundreds of thousands… Video, Audio
Hawke’s Bay winery ‘horrified’ workers not getting paid
Twelve workers from Papua New Guinea, who were connected with Destiny Church, ended up working for free on Te Mata Estate after companies run by church members pocketed the cash. But Destiny Church… Audio
Migrants not the answer to aged care workers shortage - nurses union
Hiring migrant workers is not the answer to a chronic shortage of rest home workers, the nurses union says.
Migrant workers paying Chorus sub-contractors for visas - union
An investigation by the Labour Inspectorate found 73 subcontractors working on Chorus's ultra-fast broadband network in Auckland failed to keep employment records, pay the minimum wage and provide… Audio
Sistema workers accuse company of exploitation: 'We are not treated equally'
Workers at one of New Zealand's leading manufacturing companies Sistema have spoken out about their desperate need for better working conditions and have accused the company of exploiting migrant… Audio
'They have preyed on these vulnerable migrant workers'
Working 60 hour weeks for $17 an hour, employees at plastics manufacturer Sistema say the company is exploiting vulnerable migrant workers.
Migrant workers are ripe for exploitation - report
A new report has found migrant workers coming to New Zealand are ripe for exploitation. The report by E Tu looked at the experiences of 45 Filipino migrant workers in the construction sector in… Audio
NZ grower says RSE workers invaluable to the industry
A New Zealand fruit grower says his industry can no longer survive without Pacific workers. Audio
Eyebrows raised over Filipino labour-hire contracts
Auckland construction worker told he'd have to pay $5k or be deported in order to get out of his contract. Audio
Insight: NZ's tourism workforce - imported or homegrown?
While tourism is booming, research into employment paints a less than rosy picture, Belinda McCammon investigates government plans to tighten-up migrant worker visas will have on businesses, and how… Audio
Businesses blacklisted under new Labour Inspectorate powers
Seventy business have been banned from hiring migrant workers for breaking labour laws. Motel owners, restaurants and a major freight company feature on the blacklist of companies which have been… Audio
Exploited Indian students turn to suicide, self-harm
A group representing migrant workers says some Indian students are turning to self-harm or suicide, because they are under pressure to get residency and being exploited by unscrupulous employers. Audio
