Accredited Employer Investigated for Selling Job for $30,000

Alright, in this recent inz news, let's talk about Harish. It's the same old story, isn't it? An ambitious young man from India, comes to New Zealand on the promise of a better life, only to find himself tangled in a web of deceit and exploitation. Harish, a marketing management graduate from Surat, found himself in Auckland, not in a job of promise, but in a dire situation far removed from what he was led to expect.

Imagine arriving in a new country with dreams of working as a laser technician, only to be shoved into a low-wage job, paid under the table, and bullied into returning a portion of your wages. Harish's employer, let's call him 'the Beauty Studio Guy', demanded an outrageous NZ$30,000 for the visa—a fee that nearly broke Harish's family. They sold their home, scraping together NZ$21,000 with a promise to pay the rest once Harish settled in. But, the reality? A slap in the face.

Instead of the job he was promised, Harish was forced into another role and told to launder his own wages. And when he dared to confront his employer, he got threats of violence. "I'll cancel your visa," "I'll send gangs to beat you up," were the responses from the man Harish trusted.

He spent six months living with this crook, in shared accommodation, working around the clock in various low-skilled jobs just to pay off his so-called debt. Seventy to eighty hours a week as a security guard or in a restaurant. Is this the international exposure he was promised?

Harish took matters into his own hands, posting his ordeal on social media, only to be silenced there too. He hired a lawyer, filed complaints, and received the Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa. But here's the catch – the system only gives you a temporary reprieve. After six months, you're expected to find a new job or face deportation. Harish got an extension, but what happens in July 2024 when his current visa expires?

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) says they are investigating, but in the meantime, Harish and many like him are left in limbo. They survive on odd jobs and the dwindling savings sent from back home. Harish's case isn't unique; his lawyer has seen five similar cases recently. The pattern of exploitation is clear, yet the system struggles to protect these vulnerable workers.

So, what's the takeaway here? New Zealand's image as a land of opportunity is tarnished by these stories of migrant exploitation. Harish's fight is ongoing, but the real question is, how many more Harishs are out there, waiting for justice that might never come? And how long will it take for us to address this blight on our so-called fair society?

And that's the immigration news for today. Follow and subscribe for more immigration content like this. Ka Kite Ano.