Lockwood’s comments show it’s time to sort out short-term labour

The Mar­itime Union says that action must be tak­en to pro­tect both local jobs and over­seas work­ers in New Zealand indus­tries after recent com­ments from Oppo­si­tion immi­gra­tion spokesper­son Lock­wood Smith about over­seas work­ers caused an uproar.

Mar­itime Union Gen­er­al Sec­re­tary Trevor Han­son says a pro­gres­sive down­ward pres­sure on wages, con­di­tions and local jobs is spread­ing through­out large areas of the New Zealand econ­o­my, includ­ing the hor­ti­cul­ture and viti­cul­ture sec­tor.

“We are very aware of this prob­lem in the fish­ing indus­try and with flag of con­ve­nience ship­ping, and also with attempts to dis­place water­front labour.”

He says the use of cross-bor­der, short-term labour sourced from ultra-low wage economies is a major threat to work­ers in New Zealand and around the world.

“This sys­tem is being used by employ­ers and Gov­ern­ments around the world as part of free trade to gen­er­ate prof­its regard­less of the effect on work­ers and soci­ety.”

Mr Han­son says the recent com­ments by Nation­al Par­ty immi­gra­tion spokesper­son Lock­wood Smith about over­seas work­ers in the hor­ti­cul­ture and viti­cul­ture indus­try showed a dis­turb­ing atti­tude.

“There is no doubt that there is a divide and rule approach by employ­ers which will be pro­mot­ed by the Nation­al Par­ty, who obvi­ous­ly see these over­seas work­ers as pro­duc­tion units who are not enti­tled to either dig­ni­ty or good treat­ment.”

Mr Han­son says employ­ment agree­ments for over­seas work­ers need to be pre­pared and signed before they come to New Zealand.

“Any employ­er who requires import­ed labour should be required to allow inspec­tion of accom­mo­da­tion and con­di­tions, agree to a 30-hour min­i­mum pay­ment and offer pay above min­i­mum rates to skilled work­ers, pri­or to approval to bring work­ers in.”

Unions should be direct­ly involved from the start of any appli­ca­tion to ensure that these work­ers are pro­vid­ed with rights and pro­tec­tions.

Mr Han­son says the same sys­tem should apply to the fish­ing indus­try.

“Over the last gen­er­a­tion, a huge num­bers of for­eign work­ers hav­ing been employed in New Zealand waters with the promis­es of train­ing being dis­missed by some New Zealand fish­ing com­pa­nies.”

“There needs to be reg­u­la­tions that pro­vide young New Zealand work­ers with train­ing and a path­way to a career in fish­ing.”

Mr Han­son says there is a def­i­nite need to exam­ine the finan­cial returns pro­duc­ers are receiv­ing and mea­sure this against work­ers terms and con­di­tions of work in the indus­try.

He says the mas­sive rise in food prices in the last year, espe­cial­ly with fresh pro­duce, was not reflect­ed in the wages and con­di­tions of work­ers in the indus­try.

“It is a trav­es­ty that in a food pro­duc­ing coun­try like New Zealand, work­ers can­not afford to buy fresh food.”

“We are of no doubt that the pay­ment of a liv­ing wage would bring New Zealand work­ers into the indus­try, and still leave room for Pacif­ic Island work­ers. The Gov­ern­ment needs to take a firmer line on con­di­tions and wages paid to these work­ers.”