New Zealand Human Rights Commission says work visa scheme exploits migrants News
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New Zealand Human Rights Commission says work visa scheme exploits migrants

The New Zealand Human Rights Commission called Thursday for significant policy changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme (AEWV) to include ending the practice of tying visas to specific employers and implementing a stronger framework for ethical recruitment and worker protections. 

The AEWV is a temporary work visa program introduced in May 2022, allowing accredited employers to hire overseas staff. The scheme was designed to combat migrant exploitation by ensuring that only accredited employers could hire migrant workers. 

A review published on February 27 this year, led by Jenn Bestwick appointed Te Kawa Mataaho (the Public Service Commissioner) found that the AEWV scheme prioritized reducing visa processing times over addressing the risks of migrant exploitation and system abuse. The review highlighted that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) focused on meeting the demand for migrant workers but did not adequately assess the risks associated with reducing verification checks. This oversight led to increased exploitation by unscrupulous employers between July 2022 and June 2023.

Migrants reported paying large sums to recruitment agents for jobs that did not exist or being dismissed upon arrival and forced into unregulated, poorly paid work. As one migrant described their situation, the visa felt like “handcuffs.” 

Changes to the AEWV occurred in April 2024 which introduced stricter requirements for both employers and visa applicants. These changes included reducing the maximum continuous stay for AEWV holders and requiring employers to guarantee a minimum of 30 hours of work per week. New visa applications also required higher qualifications or relevant work experience, alongside meeting English proficiency standards.

Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo noted that “the changes made in April did not address the underlying human rights risks.”

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, speaking to the New Zealand Herald, acknowledged that migrant exploitation remains a “persistent issue” in New Zealand and assured that the Government is “taking action to help address” these concerns.

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