9. DARREN HUGHES (Labour—Otaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
What initiatives has the Government taken to assist horticulturalists with seasonal labour shortages?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
The Government launched the well-received Recognised Seasonal Employer initiative on 30 April, which was developed in partnership with Pacific States and communities, industry, and unions. It will assist seasonal industries to self-manage the labour shortage, encourage the employment of Kiwis first, and provide a sustainable labour solution for the future.
How will the Government ensure that overseas workers do not displace New Zealand workers in the seasonal industry?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Given the exceptional unemployment rate currently being experienced in New Zealand—3.7 percent—migrant workers need to be an important secondary source of labour. Employers must access all available New Zealand labour first, the Ministry of Social Development must verify that labour shortages exist in particular areas, and employers must be accredited, after having demonstrated good employment practices. Unions, employers, and Pacific Island States are all committed to making this work.
Peter BrownWill the Minister confirm that this initiative builds on a policy announced by the Rt Hon Winston Peters in October last year that allows Pacific workers to fill seasonal labour shortages, and can he assure the House that the system is not being abused and rorted, as has been reported recently; if the report is true, what is the Minister doing to address that problem?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
This initiative was announced by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, at last year’s Pacific leaders’ forum, and follows on from work that had been done with forum leaders—in part by the Minister of Foreign Affairs—over the preceding year.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. There is a report that states that this system is being abused. That was a very important part of my question to the Minister.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I apologise; I missed that. Would he like to repeat the second half of the question?
Can the Minister assure the House that the system is not being abused; if the abuse that is alleged in this New Zealand Herald report—which I will table—is occurring, what is he doing to address it?
Madam SPEAKERHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The system cannot be being abused yet, because it has not actually started. But I can tell the member that Pacific States are working extremely closely with our Government and with employers to ensure that workers will go home at the end of their time. Quite simply, if they do not go home, the employer will be deregistered, and the workers will not come back the next year.
Craig FossWhy should growers who have followed all of the rules stand to lose thousands of dollars of repatriation bond because the Minister’s department has not followed its own rules—for example, amending a seasonal labour worker’s visa, thus allowing the worker to abscond?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Quite simply, employers who follow all the rules will lose nothing. One of the rules is that the workers need to go back home at the end of the season.
I seek leave to table a letter from myself to the Minister, dated 7 March, where I outline the situation of an employer suffering exactly what I have just described.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can the member confirm whether that matter relates to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, which was the subject of the primary question, or to another scheme, such as the old Seasonal Work Permit scheme, which employers in his district would no doubt like to see continue?
I seek leave to table another document concerning a Government initiative for seasonal labour, which is the Minister’s response to me, referring me to the Palmerston North office—
Finally, I seek leave to table a document dated 23 April, which is the letter I wrote to the Palmerston North office, to which I am still awaiting a reply.
I seek leave to table a report from the New Zealand Herald that refers to syndicates smuggling in illegal workers to work—