WelCom August 2024
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s push for dignity in the RSE Scheme
Grace Morton and Ben Sokimi, Advocacy Analysts, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a founding member of the Migrant and Refugee Oceania Network, advocating for the dignity of migrants and refugees throughout the region.
The network is a regional collaboration between Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Australian Catholic Migrants and Refugees Office, the bishops’ conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBCPNGSI), the Australian Vincentian Refugee Network, and the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) General Secretary.
A focus of this work is on the wellbeing of seasonal workers in New Zealand and Australia.
In New Zealand, the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme enables business owners to employ workers from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, and Nauru.
The scheme currently caps at 19,500 workers and the New Zealand Coalition Government plans to double this cap to meet industry demands. However, reviews have revealed significant concerns about exploitation within the scheme.
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has reported instances of workers being misled, forced to work without pay, housed in cramped and cold accommodations, and threatened with deportation if they complained. Thousands of seasonal workers are coming to New Zealand seeking better opportunities and incomes for their families, yet due to a lack of checks and accountability within the RSE Scheme, many end up severely disadvantaged.
Caritas believes such treatment of people is unacceptable, and we have urged substantial efforts be made to address it. In our recent statement on the 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, we noted with disappointment the lack of action from the Government to address exploitation and human trafficking. Despite having clear recommendations for improvement from the TIP Report and the HRC’s review, not enough is being done to protect people who have been exploited, nor to prevent future cases of exploitation.
Before expanding the RSE Scheme, the New Zealand Government should address the current concerns. This includes ensuring both employers and employees know their rights and responsibilities, conducting regular reviews, and implementing effective reporting mechanisms for workers to safely report exploitation without fear of consequences.
It is essential we do not turn a blind eye to the exploitation happening in our communities but stand up for human rights.
Through the Migrant and Refugee Oceania Network, Caritas is working to support seasonal workers and their employers to ensure workers are being treated with dignity. By raising awareness, supporting advocacy efforts, and holding our leaders accountable, we can contribute to a more just and equitable system.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand remains committed to fighting for the rights and dignity of migrant workers, but real change requires a collective effort.