Embassy of the United States of America in Apia, has issues a statements saying that it is not accusing New Zealand of human trafficking after all.
In its statement the Embassy said it wished to correct an inaccurate New Zealand press reports about the Regional Seasonal Employment Scheme.
The US Embassy wishes “to correct the record regarding claims made in the New Zealand press that Ambassador CdeBaca, during his recent visit to New Zealand, criticized New Zealand’s Regional Seasonal Employment Worker Scheme as “verging on trafficking in persons. Neither Ambassador CdeBaca nor any member of his delegation made the statement attributed to him.”
“While Ambassador CdeBaca noted that all guest worker programs need vigilant monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to stop unscrupulous recruiters and employers from exploiting vulnerable workers, he has stated unequivocally that the United States takes no position on the New Zealand Regional Seasonal Employment Worker Scheme.”
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News category: Asia Pacific.