NZ-India FTA must protect workers and students

Labour has a strong history of supporting free trade, and we want to see an agreement with India that benefits both nations. Our free trade agreements must not cause harm to New Zealand or those who choose to migrate here.

While National did not ask for Labour’s support, it is clear they will need it given Christopher Luxon signed it without the support of his own coalition Government.

Recently, I wrote to Christopher Luxon to outline our concerns and ask for information and advice from officials about the free trade agreement.

At first read, this agreement has some much broader commitments than just trade. We want to ensure we understand them, do our due diligence, and ensure there are no unforeseen consequences.

One of the commitments we’re seeking clarity on is New Zealand needing to invest $33bn into India over a fifteen-year period – with no such reciprocal clause from India into New Zealand.

This is a tall order, especially at a time when we’re trying to encourage investment into our local economy, which of course includes our small and medium business owners within our Indian communities.

We want to ensure any free trade deal we strike with India has safeguards against migrant and student exploitation included in it.

We cannot return to the despicable cases of migrant exploitation we’ve seen in the past that have hurt those who have chosen to work and study here. Those arriving at our shores deserve better.

New Zealand is renowned globally for our world-leading education. Entering into an agreement that doesn’t have strong protections risks tarnishing this reputation we’ve worked so hard to build.

I’ve made it clear in my letter. We need stronger protections that ensure any student entering New Zealand under the agreement is enrolled in a legitimate, high-quality programme.

When I became Education Minister, I saw too many reports of Indian students coming to New Zealand hoping to study quality courses, only to be thrown into sub-par programmes that couldn’t deliver the quality promised.

I worked closely with officials to stamp this out and restore New Zealand’s reputation as a leading destination for international students. The lack of protections in this current trade agreement risks taking us backwards on this issue.

With many choosing to stay and pursue skilled work here in New Zealand – it’s important the qualifications they attain here are quality and properly prepares them for future careers.

A 2019 report found Indian-New Zealanders contribute $10 billion to our economy - proof that when we get things right, New Zealand prospers.

The awful stories of migrant workers finding themselves in vulnerable employment situations cannot be repeated.

The Prime Minister must confirm that the right systems are in place in New Zealand, which ensure migrants are safe and can flourish while in the country.

I’ve called on the Government to: 

• increase the number of compliance officers employed by the Ministry of Business,

• Innovation and Employment

• decouple work visas from individual employers to reduce vulnerability to abuse

• strengthen protections for victims of modern slavery in New Zealand.

We value those who come to New Zealand for work and study. The Indian community plays a vital and significant role in New Zealand, contributing economically, socially, and culturally – making it more important that we get this right.

Labour wants to see a trade agreement with India. But economic opportunity must never depend on migrant vulnerability. If this deal is to succeed, it must protect livelihoods first.

Our free trade agreements must not cause harm to New Zealand or those who choose to migrate here.