An Indian workers’ association is set to be formed in Auckland later this month.
Unite Union and the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Charitable Trust have called a meeting on Sunday, October 28 to discuss the formation of an Indian Workers Association in New Zealand.
In recent months there has been a lot of discussion about how migrant workers have been taken advantage of by employers in this country, an organising spokesman said.
“Some of the employers are multi-national companies while others may be a small business within different ethnic communities.
“Often the voice that has been missing in the discussions is that of the migrant workers themselves,” the spokesman said.
“That is why we think it is time for Indian workers in New Zealand to form a group that can speak for themselves. This is an organisation that can understand the different problems that migrant workers face, whether they have PR or not, whether they have a work visa or not, whether they are on a student visa or job search visa.”
Unite Union already has many Indian workers as members and delegates in the fast food industry and has offered to assist in organising and assisting other Indian migrant workers in dealing with their problems. This will include education and training in employment rights and advocacy.
All Indian workers and supporters of migrant workers’ rights are welcome to come along at 2pm, Sunday, October 28, at the Western Springs Garden Community Hall, 956 Great North Rd, Pt Chevalier, Auckland.
For more information contact: Bharti Bhaji 021 115 7745; Mukhtiar Singh 021 827 550; Mike Treen 09 215 3392, 029 5254744; Anu Kaloti (anukaloti@xtra.co.nz)