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A Marlborough labour contractor has been cleared by the Labour Inspectorate.
A Marlborough labour contractor has been cleared by the Labour Inspectorate, following an investigation kicked off earlier this year.
Inspectorate Regional Manager Natalie Gardiner says the investigation into Vine Strength Limited, following minimum standards allegations by Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo, did not find any breaches of minimum employment standards or Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme standards.
Meenu Gaur is a partner in Vine Strength and manages human resources for the company. She says it is a relief to have the Labour Inspectorate’s findings released, “as we knew we had not done anything wrong and wanted our case to be cleared, by having it checked the correct way.”
The inspectorate has made several recommendations around areas for improvement to the current RSE accommodation and pastoral care standards, to lift conditions for workers across the board, Natalie says. “These are being considered through the policy review of the RSE scheme currently underway.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is undertaking a policy review of the RSE scheme, engaging with industry, unions and Pacific stakeholders. The review will include workstreams on RSE worker wellbeing, including the rules around wage deductions, supply and quality of accommodation, the cap-setting process, method of allocation, strengthened compliance framework, streamlined labour market test, and flexibility options in the scheme. The review is expected to be completed by mid-2023 and policy changes will need to be considered by Cabinet. “Our inspectors are actively working with the sector in the meantime to educate the industry and encourage uptake of industry best practice, particularly on accommodation provided to workers,” says Natalie.
As part of the recent RSE cap increase, Minister for Immigration Michael Wood announced that a tripartite group of industry and unions will continue to work on further short-term improvements and employee safeguards to provide greater protections to RSE workers. This will include looking at ensuring that deductions for recovery of costs are deducted over the full period of employment as opposed to the first few weeks.
Immigration New Zealand is the decision maker on accreditation of employers under the RSE scheme and on compliance with the RSE policy, and Labour Inspectors are required to approve the accommodation the workers live in, the employment agreement, and deductions before an employer can recruit workers from the Pacific.
As incredible scenes of seasonal workers stranded on rooftops emerged during the flooding in Hawke's Bay in February, local businesses and community groups leapt into action, providing emergency shelter, clothing and food.
Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed the recent Government decision to increase the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
OPINION: Every year growers and wineries have thousands of Pacific workers in their vineyards, performing time-sensitive tasks critical to the viability of our industry.
It is critical that the 'win-wins' the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme was set up achieve are strengthened for the workers, businesse and communities involved.
Earlier this year Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo raised a red flag over the experience of migrant labour in Marlborough’s wine industry.
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