The NZ government is investigating claims that Thai workers are being exploited and abused in fruit-picking and other land-based jobs in the country.
Thai nationals apparently told the NZ press that they paid up to NZ$14,000 New Zealand dollars (£5,000) to recruitment agencies in Thailand for jobs with high-earning potential in New Zealand.
Instead, eight Thais claimed they worked 60-to-70-hour, seven-day weeks, including public holidays at a rate at times below the minimum wage.
New Zealand immigration minister David Cunliffe said employers had clear legal obligations toward foreign seasonal workers.
“I have a zero-tolerance policy towards worker abuse and any form of malpractice or corruption,”Cunliffe told the NZ press. “At the same time, it is important that the full facts of any case are known before conclusions are drawn,'' he said.
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