Issue 1 - Why it's important to understand migrant exploitation
22 June, 2025
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Identifying migrant exploitation in New Zealand is essential to protect vulnerable workers and uphold fair labour standards. Migrants often fill essential roles across industries such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, and domestic work, but their dependency on employers and unfamiliarity with New Zealand employment laws can make them susceptible to abuse. Recognizing signs of exploitation involves paying close attention to both physical and psychological indicators, including excessive working hours, lack of pay, unsafe working conditions, and restricted movement or communication.
There isn't a precise, publicly available annual count of migrant exploitation cases in New Zealand, as these incidents are often underreported and not always documented separately. However, the New Zealand government and various organizations recognize migrant exploitation—such as forced labour, wage theft, and trafficking—as serious issues.
The New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) actively investigate incidents related to migrant exploitation, which can number in the thousands each year. The number of reported cases can vary year to year depending on reporting rates, enforcement efforts, and awareness campaigns.
One of the critical signs of exploitation is when migrants are required to work unpaid or receive significantly lower wages than the legal minimum. Additionally, withholding of passports or identification documents restricts individuals from leaving their employment or seeking help. Employers who impose unreasonable work restrictions, deny breaks, or threaten deportation are clearly crossing ethical boundaries. Awareness and education about workers' rights are vital, enabling migrants to recognize when they are being unfairly treated and encouraging reporting of abuses.
Community organizations, labour inspectors, and law enforcement agencies play a vital role in identifying and preventing exploitation. In New Zealand, mechanisms such as the ‘Employment Relations’ laws and the ‘Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’ (MBIE) provide avenues for reporting misconduct. Outreach programs and multilingual resources are crucial in reaching migrant communities to educate them about their rights and available support services. Early intervention can help dismantle exploitative practices and ensure that victims receive the necessary assistance.
Ultimately, addressing migrant exploitation requires a collaborative effort that combines legal enforcement, community engagement, and education initiatives. Employers must be held accountable, and victims should feel safe to come forward without fear of reprisal or deportation. Raising awareness, improving inspection protocols, and fostering an environment of trust within migrant communities are all key strategies to better identify and combat exploitation in New Zealand. With a unified approach, the nation can better protect its migrant workers and promote fair, ethical labor practices for all.
Employment New Zealand offers free online learning modules to educate employees and employers about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. These modules cover key topics like pay, leave, hours, and dispute resolution, and are designed as a starting point for understanding employment law. You can access these courses online, and each course takes about 10 minutes to complete. Learn about your minimum rights now. Just follow the instructions to register and begin your learning journey.
Contact ERNZ immediately if you think you might be a victim of migrant exploitation.