Migrants Slam 90 Day Bill

Media Release from Migrante Aotearoa

December 10, 2008

A migrant workers organisation is angry that Business New Zealand is using migrants as an excuse to promote the 90 day Bill.

Dennis Maga from Migrante Aotearoa, an organisation of Filipino migrant workers, says the Bill will open the doors for further exploitation of a vulnerable section of the workforce.

"Migrants often have a limited knowledge of their workplace rights and some employers are already taking advantage of this," he says.

"This is particularly true of employers in small workplaces like restaurants and fast food outlets, rest homes and mobile shops.

"We regularly get reports of small employers in these industries not following existing laws such as paying the minimum wage. They know that immigrants are more likely to seek another job so they can legally stay in New Zealand than mount a legal challenge."

Mr Maga says the 90 day Bill will also play on migrants fears of joining a union in case their employer withdraws their sponsorship for a work permit or residency.

"The 90 day Bill is a manipulative move to encourage a cheap and docile workforce and has nothing to do with improving opportunities for migrant workers," he says.

ENDS

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