I just had a Samoan man in my office going over the nightmare of an experience that his brother endured while here on the seasonal work scheme. His brother was housed in a 2 bedroom flat with 11 other Samoan workers. Five slept in the lounge and two slept in the kitchen while the other five slept in the two bedrooms. There was no ceiling in the house – apparently more like a shed than a house and the washing machine and shower were both coin operated. The house had no TV and no oven in the kitchen – only a two burner gas stove outside for cooking. All of them were paying $100 a week for rent. What 2 bedroom flat in this state on the East Coast could possibly bed worth $1200 a week in rent?
The man fell sick and asked his employer if he could assist him in getting to a doctor. The employer said yes but 3 days later had still not gotten him any medical attention and the mans health had deteriorated. The NZ based brother who lives in Waitakere had to ring the employer himself to get them to seek medical attention for his brother.
The Auckland based brother was so concerned that he ended up travelling to the East Coast to check on his brother and his working conditions. On arrival he immediately saw that they workers had no safety boots, masks or sunscreen. He made the decision, despite the employers protests, that he would take his brother back to Auckland and send him back to Samoa.
What kind of country are we if this is how we treat our workers? After reporting it to the Department of Labour, the NZ brother has been assured that the case is being investigated. Meanwhile a lot of the workers putting up with those conditions don’t want to complain because their families are relying on them earning money and sending it back home.
I will be following this up.
