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CHRISTEL YARDLEY / THINGS
The kiwi industry is committed to investigating any recent reports of labor exploitation in the sector.
A man from Tauranga has been charged with labor exploitation in the kiwi industry.
Jafar Kurisi has been charged under the Immigration Act with exploitation of an employee. The charges relate to indictments between October 1 of last year and June 30. The charges carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $ 100,000.
Investigations into labor exploitation in the kiwi industry continue and there may be more charges, immigration authorities say.
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The comment followed Kurisi’s court appearance this week.
The case follows a series of past complaints about mistreatment of migrant workers by horticultural and other employers.
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New Zealand immigration, police and the Labor Inspectorate said they launched a joint investigation in July after kiwi exporter Zespri alerted officials to allegations that two contractor companies were exploiting migrant workers.
Immigration NZ’s General Manager for Verification and Compliance, Stephen Vaughan, said that information from different sources, including a comprehensive archive of the kiwi industry, allowed him to build a picture of alleged labor exploitation by contractors in the Bay of Plenty. .
“The exploitation of vulnerable migrants will not be tolerated in New Zealand, and we are fortunate to work closely with the kiwi industry to ensure that temporary workers are treated with respect and have the same working conditions as all workers in New Zealand. New Zealand have the right. “
Kurisi was previously sentenced in 2017 on charges related to a human trafficking case.
He was found guilty of charges involving 13 workers who had no right to work in New Zealand. He was ordered to pay $ 55,000 and was sentenced to 12 months of home detention.
His co-defendant in that case, Faroz Ali, was the first person in New Zealand to be convicted of human trafficking.
Kelly Hodel / Stuff
Zespr CEO Dan Mathieson says the industry has taken steps to hold its employers accountable.
Ali was convicted on charges related to trafficking Fijians to New Zealand and assisting and inciting people to enter or remain in the country illegally.
He had previously pleaded guilty to exploitation and aiding and abetting visa violation charges, and was sentenced to nine years and six months in jail.
In that case, the exploited workers worked for a tray repair business or on a Tauranga fruit farm, earned low or no wages, and received poor food and accommodation.
Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson said the kiwi industry was committed to ensuring that it was free from exploitation.
“While the vast majority of employers in the kiwi industry care about their people, a small minority do not.
“That is unacceptable, and we are committed to holding them accountable and continually developing strong compliance frameworks to help us do so.”
Mathieson said the industry would be vigilant, screening contractors before they were allowed to work in the industry, conducting regular audits, and committing to investigate concerns and taking action against dishonest employers.
He said that after New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated was alerted to concerns about the treatment of a group of migrant workers, the group participated in a “comprehensive” investigation and passed the information on to Immigration NZ.
Mathieson said the workers involved were being supported by the industry, including temporary employment in local orchards.
