By Sarah E. Treptow

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A group of seventy Pacific Islands workers arrived in New Zealand in May as part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to work in vineyards.  The workers were sent home early when the work was done, leaving most struggling.  “They do not have any employment here in Kiribati. One of the issues that we are looking at is how they are going to repay the money they borrowed from government to fund their trip to New Zealand, the airfare and other expenses,” says Taakei Taoaba, secretary of Kiribati’s labour department.

The returned Kiribati workers say they lived in overcrowded housing while receiving little work and little pay.  The New Zealand Department of Labour says twenty-two Kiribati workers living in a three-bedroom house was the worst overcrowding it has encountered.  According to a Department spokesman, the house was inspected before workers arrived and was deemed suitable for six or eight people.

It is the New Zealand Department of Labour’s job to ensure the workers are paid for the work they have done and accommodations are appropriate.  A notice has been served to the employer, Fore-Vintage Contracting, about the unacceptable accommodations and the investigation for the Kiribati group is continuing.

Some employers have complained about the seasonal workers being unskilled in the work and the department has said in the future they will work closely with the Kiribati government to make sure the workers are trained correctly.  There will also be an end of year review of the program and some employers will be routinely audited.

Ten Kiribati workers have absconded, disappearing into New Zealand.  The government is urging them to turn themselves in before they are found and deported.

The Australian government is considering a similar program for workers but has reported they will not make the same mistakes as the New Zealand government.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International — Kiribati Government to try and ensure better treatment of seasonal workers in New Zealand — 05 September 2008

The New Zealand Herald — More than 20 workers in 3-bedroom house — 28 August 2008

Islands Business — NZ Government may compensate mistreated vineyard workers — 28 August 2008