Why Complaints Against Employers Have Gone Up When Migrant Numbers Are Down?

Have you ever wondered what’s really going on behind the scenes with migrant workers in this country? Well, here’s the ugly truth according to the latest immigration news. Despite fewer migrant arrivals, complaints against employers have skyrocketed.

It’s no surprise we’re seeing more complaints from migrant workers – even as the number of new arrivals drops to the lowest point since the borders reopened. You’d think fewer migrants would mean fewer problems, but instead, we’ve got more than 550 complaints against employers just last month. That’s over double the monthly average for this year. So, what’s going on here? Simple – while the number of migrant workers might be down, exploitation is in full swing, and there’s little being done to stop it.

We’ve got employers charging workers thousands for the privilege of a job. Migrants are being trafficked, exploited, and trapped in modern-day slavery. And what are the authorities doing about it? Well, Immigration New Zealand and the Labour Inspectorate say they’re investigating. But with 4300 complaints since the borders opened, it’s looking more like a case of too little, too late. The fact is, this isn't just a case of a few dodgy employers – it's organised crime. Cam Bower, a former INZ officer who’s now part of a charity fighting migrant exploitation, says industries are infiltrated by criminals, laundering money and evading taxes while getting rich off the backs of desperate workers.

The real scandal is that these employers aren’t even worried about getting caught. They shut down one business, open another, and keep exploiting. There’s no deterrent. And the victims? Well, they’re left in the lurch – bounced from one exploitative job to another, with no proper support. The system’s failing them, and it’s clear things need to change. As Bower puts it, the supply chain needs to be cleaned up, and migrants deserve a central support system, because right now, they’re being passed around and re-victimised.