Migrant workers network to combat exploitative practices

A new network to help migrant workers know their rights is timely, following a TV investigation this week of exploitative practises by employers of migrant workers, its organizers say.

FIRST Union launched UNEMIG: Union Network of Migrants on Sunday, August 19, at the NZ Diversity Action Programme held at the Aotea Centre, Auckland.

“Migrant workers are frequently victims of under legal minimum wage pay, abuse, discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace,” said Robert Reid, FIRST Union General Secretary.

The launch follows Unite Union taking Burger King to the Employment Relations Authority, accusing the fast food giant of exploiting young migrant workers and running an anti-union campaign.
The union says the company has carried out a "co-ordinated, unlawful and secret campaign" to undermine the union and its relationship with members, and had discriminated against members in their employment. It is seeking remedies and penalties amounting to more than $200,000.
Antares Restaurant Group, which operates Burger King stores in New Zealand, told media it had not been advised of this grievance by either the union or the authority.

Mike Treen, Unite's national director, said Burger King had "desperately resisted" signing a collective agreement with the union and was the last major fast food company to do so.

"They have always actively discouraged members from joining and because of that fact, have been successful in keeping their wages below those of their competitors," Mr Treen said.

Mr Treen said many of the victims were migrant workers from the Philippines and India, many of whom were fearful of speaking up as they depended on their jobs to qualify for residency.

"Many staff are given work permits as students ... but to get an offer for permanent residence they need to be offered a manager's job," he said.
Employee of six years Lalit Sood claimed he and other staff faced pressure from management to leave the union and he was forced to "work like a slave".

"I've always been treated very badly ... and just because I get paid a fixed salary, they expect me to work long hours and all sorts of hours," Mr Sood said.

“Unions exist to protect and advance the collective interests of workers, and it is our duty to make sure that migrant workers’ rights are protected,” Robert Reid said. Dennis Maga, FIRST Union UNEMIG coordinator, said the network is assisting migrant workers with employment and immigration matters, holding education events and supporting migrant workers to network with others.

“The TVNZ feature exposed the complete lack of enforcement of migrant workers rights, because there is no government agency actively investigating conditions for migrant workers,” said Dennis Maga, formerly a union official in the Philippines.
“Migrant workers don’t complain about their employers for fear of losing their job and working visa. They don’t want to be deported, so aren’t able to speak out. They mostly only react to their exploitation once dismissed – and it is very expensive for them to get legal support.”

“By forming UNEMIG, there is now a body that can investigate exploitative practises and support migrant workers to access the decent work and conditions they are entitled to,” Dennis Maga said.