Migrant Exploitation
Immigration New Zealand and others are currently investigating alleged migrant exploitation of people on temporary work visas. If you are impacted by exploitations as a migrant, please contact us for help.
In terms of the current investigation. there is a multi-agency approach underway to support the victims and investigate this situation, including Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Social Development, NZ Police, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and Victim Support. They have also collectively engaged with a number of community contacts on how they can support the individuals involved, especially as the situation is dynamic and evolving.
The below information has been provided by Immigration New Zealand:
· All workers on temporary visas have the same employment rights as all New Zealand workers.
· Reporting migrant exploitation
o An individual can report migrant exploitation to Employment New Zealand using their online form: https://reportmigrantexploitation.employment.govt.nz
o An individual can also call 0800 200 088 to report exploitation, and interpreters are available in over 180 languages. This is free to call from any landline or cell phone in New Zealand.
o An individual can also report migrant exploitation anonymously by using a web form on the Employment New Zealand website to report issues - www.employment.govt.nz/migrantexploitation. They can tell us if they want to report anonymously, and do not provide their contact details.
· Visa options
o The Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV) is free, and allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to six months. If you have reported exploitation while on an employer supported work visa, apply for this visa to leave your job while the exploitation is being investigated. We treat these applications as high priority. It allows you to leave your current employer quickly while we investigate the exploitation. You can work on this visa, with any employer anywhere in New Zealand.
o The Dismissed Worker Visitor Visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for three months if you were dismissed during your work trial period. You can’t work on this visa but you can use the time to find another job and apply for a work visa if you do.
o A Job Change allows you to change conditions of your work visa such as the employer that your visa is tied to, so you can work for a new employer. It does not make your visa longer. Your current employer does not have to give permission for you to leave. Please note in some situations you may need to apply for a new AEWV.
· Accommodation
o We will be providing the individuals with temporary accommodation and a basic allowance for a short period. This is an interim package of support the group of identified migrants at these houses.
o The details of the package includes:
§ accommodation in a motel (paid directly to the accommodation provider)
§ approximately $220 per person, per week of living cost support payments.
o We have secured accommodation and we are reaching out to those impacted directly to offer them this accommodation.
· Contacting Immigration New Zealand
o They can call us from 06:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday (NZT) excluding New Zealand public holidays.
o When calling about their visa application, we will need either their INZ client, application or passport number if their call is about a visa application.
If they do not speak English, we can provide information in your language. Call us and when they connect with an operator, say the name of the language you speak. They need to stay on the line and we will get an interpreter to join the call. They should not hang up while they are being connected.
MBIE Contact Centre:
Auckland:
Wellington:
Rest of the world: