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A dozen Filipino carpenters recruited to work in Christchurch’s rebuild had no work when they arrived and had to call on a Catholic advocate to get by.
Recruitment and labour hire company Adecco promised fulltime jobs to the group.
When they arrived on July 10, there was no work for them.
Adecco, acting as the workers’ employer, paid them an advance of $880 gross the day after their arrival, but then left them without further payment for two weeks.
The workers spoke about their situation to Fr Jim Consedine.
Fr Consedine, from The Catholic Worker group, said the workers ran out of money and needed help.
They had to pay rent and living costs and had already sent money to their families in the Philippines.
With the help of charity organisations, Fr Consedine provided them with food, warm jackets, socks, and money.
He said workers would not complain to their employers directly as it was not in their culture to do so.
“They’re very deferential to authority and fear they’re going to lose their visa.”
A Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) spokesperson told The Press the situation was of concern to the Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand.
Both organisations were working to understand and resolve it.
“Employers who bring migrant workers to New Zealand must ensure all obligations are met, including the payment of wages.”
Lexington Legal partner Paul Brown contacted the company to ask why the workers had not been paid.
“These recruitment agencies have got a responsibility to provide at least some income to these boys if they come to New Zealand and can’t work.”
Adecco Personnel general manager Donna Lynch said leaving the workers without pay for two weeks was a mistake, which was corrected as soon as the firm found out about it.
Source
- The Press
- Image: Marist Messenger
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