3. PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Is his department addressing problems regarding immigration compliance within the maritime industry; if so, how?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
Yes, by working with the fishing industry to strengthen policy on terms and conditions for foreign fishing crew, while undertaking compliance activity.
Does the Minister accept that some employers in the fishing industry advertise jobs to New Zealanders at minimum wage, have no takers, so then seek to employ foreign workers under the approval in principle system; and if she does accept that, will she concede that such a system is putting huge downward pressure on New Zealand wages and working conditions?
The Government does take this issue very seriously and is taking positive steps to ensure that working conditions and wages paid to New Zealanders are not undermined in the way the member indicated. The intent of all immigration policy is to ensure that no New Zealanders are deprived of opportunities for employment, to protect terms and conditions for New Zealand workers, and to facilitate employers sourcing labour offshore if no New Zealanders are available.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister tell the House what is the Government strategy for foreign chartered vessels in New Zealand waters?
The Government is facilitating a legitimate high-quality foreign charter fleet to complement the New Zealand fishing industry, including ensuring that terms and conditions for New Zealand fishing crew are not undercut, protecting all fishing crew from mistreatment and exploitation, managing immigration risks, and ensuring that no competitive advantage is gained over New Zealand crewed vessels.
Noting that answer, does the Minister share the New Zealand First view that jobs on fishing vessels should go to New Zealanders first and foremost, and that with better wages, conditions, and training there would be a greater uptake of these jobs; and if she does share that view, will she consider making it much more difficult for employers to engage foreign labour under the approval in principle scheme; if not, why not?
Yes. The Government has already taken action on this by tightening conditions around pay and pay deductions. I refer the member again to the basic intent of immigration policy: ensuring no New Zealanders are deprived of opportunities for employment, to protect terms and conditions for New Zealand workers, and to facilitate employers sourcing labour offshore if no New Zealanders are available.