Illegal workers found at Hastings orchard
Officials say they were “alarmed” to find employment and immigration breaches when they visited a Hastings orchard, along with two vegetable farms in Pukekohe, south of Auckland.
The Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand (both part of MBIE) carried out checks on the three properties to see whether businesses were following the legal requirements in respect of their employees. The visits are part of a proactive programme to check compliance in the horticulture sector.
Labour Inspectorate Regional Manager, Kevin Finnegan, says problems were found at all three locations.
“This is a very disappointing outcome and shows growers are failing due diligence on the contractors they use for labour,” says Mr Finnegan.
The visit to Hope Orchard in Hastings uncovered a number of migrant workers without legal working visas. The Labour Inspectorate is still investigating the two contractors that were found working on this orchard.
Meanwhile, a number of contractors operating on the Fresh Grower Ltd and Hira Bhana & Co Ltd farms in Pukekohe had no employment agreements for their employees, and were allegedly paying them no more than $14.50 an hour in cash – significantly below the current minimum wage. One contractor had migrant employees working illegally on visitors’ visas.
Immigration New Zealand’s General Manager, Verification and Compliance, Stephen Vaughan, says it’s very concerning that seven people were working in breach of their visas in Hastings and four in Pukekohe. Eight of the workers were issued warnings, two were taken into custody for deportation and one was issued a notice making him liable for deportation.
“This is a stark reminder to contractors to ensure that all their workers are legally able to work and if they’re from overseas that they have their right visas,” Mr Vaughan says.
“We will not tolerate contractors flouting the law and will take strong action when they do.”
Enforcement action against the employers is still being finalised.
The Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand will continue targeted work in this sector and hold those who breach the laws to task.
MBIE is also leading a review to reduce the exploitation of temporary migrant workers.
Anyone concerned about their employment situation or the situation of someone they know should contact Employment New Zealand where their concerns will be handled in a safe environment.
