Coalition government minister levels fresh criticism at NZ kiwifruit exporter, prompting robust defence
New Zealand marketer Zespri has underlined its commitment to worker welfare and the maintenance of high labour standards in its supply chain, after coalition government minister Shane Jones spoke of “medieval slave practices” in the country’s kiwifruit industry.
Jones, an outspoken economic nationalist, made the comments about working conditions in the Bay of Plenty – New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit-producing region – at a public meeting on Sunday, where he also called for a review of laws that govern Zespri’s single-desk status.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m sick to death of what I’ve seen up in the kiwifruit industry: medieval slave practices,” he was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.
“When the United States is calling out New Zealand as being responsible for the provision of goods and services that are associated with slave labour, look no further than the egregious cases of what we’re seeing in the Bay of Plenty and the migrant groups that are being exploited there.”
Earlier this year, NZ Trade Minister Todd McClay dismissed claims made by the US Administration that “forced labour” in New Zealand justified a newly imposed 12.5 per cent import tariff.
But in his comments at the weekend, Jones maintained the accusation and argued it undermined the marketer’s position – something his party New Zealand First would apparently look to review, given the chance.
“It’s time for a review of the Zespri legislation,” he said, “because I fear that they have trivialised their social licence, and we mean to do something about it if we come back into power.”
In response, Zespri told the newspaper: “Any allegations of poor working conditions are taken seriously and investigated, with action taken wherever possible, including proactive on reporting to government agencies to consider further enforcement action.
It added: “We have extensive systems in place to both keep the wrong people out of the industry and then to remove them when they are found.”
It’s not the first time Jones has singled out Zespri for criticism. In June, he accused the company of failing to allow Māori landowners to enter the country’s kiwifruit industry – a claim it rejected outright, pointing out that Māori growers have a “significant presence” in the industry.
