Contents
1. Executive summary ........................................................................................................................... 2
2. Recommendations for mitigation and elimination of adverse human rights effects............... 4
2.1 Worker input for change.......................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Commission Recommendations............................................................................................................. 4
2.2.1 Recommendations to Government............................................................................................... 4
2.2.2 Recommendations to business...................................................................................................... 6
2.2.3 Recommendations to community organisations........................................................................ 7
3. Approach to the review...................................................................................................................... 8
4. Overview and timeline of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme...................................... 9
4.1 Media reports of worker exploitation..................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Independent review of AEWV scheme.................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Changes to the AEWV scheme................................................................................................................. 10
4.4 Further media reports and review ......................................................................................................... 11
5. Human rights framework.................................................................................................................. 12
5.1 International human rights ..................................................................................................................... 12
5.2 United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights................................................... 13
6. Te Tiriti o Waitangi.............................................................................................................................. 14
7. Rights most relevant to temporary migrant workers under the AEWV scheme........................ 16
7.1 Right to equality and freedom from discrimination............................................................................. 16
7.2 Right to work, and to just and favourable conditions of work............................................................ 16
7.3 Right to an adequate standard of living................................................................................................. 16
7.4 Right to health .......................................................................................................................................... 17
7.5 Right to freedom of association ............................................................................................................. 17
7.6 Right to an effective remedy.................................................................................................................... 17
7.7 Protections against human trafficking and modern slavery................................................................ 18
8. Findings of human rights analysis ................................................................................................... 19
8.1 Right to just and favourable working conditions.................................................................................. 19
8.1.1 Exploitative recruitment practices – introduction....................................................................... 19
8.1.2 Exploitative recruitment practices – premiums for employment.............................................. 19
8.1.3 Tying visas to employers................................................................................................................. 21
8.1.4 Serious breaches of employment standards............................................................................... 23
8.1.5 Modern slavery and human trafficking......................................................................................... 23
8.2 Right to an adequate standard of living – housing and access to food.............................................. 24
8.3 Right to health........................................................................................................................................... 25
8.4 Freedom of association............................................................................................................................ 26
8.5 Right to an effective remedy and access to justice............................................................................... 28
1