Migrant exploitation includes any behaviour that harms your economic, social, physical or emotional well-being.
Your employer may be exploiting you if you:
- paid a fee for your job
- gave back part or all of your wages to your employer
- were paid too little or nothing at all for your work
- were paid for fewer hours than you worked
- were told you worked fewer hours than you did
- worked long hours with no breaks
- couldn’t take time off from work
- were not paid for public holidays or annual leave
- received threats or were bullied
- had your passport taken
- were forced to pay more than usual for your accommodation
- couldn’t leave your workplace because the doors and windows were locked
Most exploitation in New Zealand is hidden because migrants are worried that their work visa will be affected, or because they don’t understand their rights or where to get help. It is sometimes easier for employers who are the same ethnicity as the migrant to exploit migrant workers, because the employer appears trustworthy and familiar.
Exploitation is not your fault, and you do not have to put up with exploitation to protect your visa status. You may be able to get a Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa which will let you leave your job and work for another employer.
Here are four things you can do:
- Understand your rights.
- Collect evidence of the exploitation.
- Talk to a lawyer at Community Law.
You can find out more about migrant exploitation here.
