Many Pacific workers described how their union had supported them to raise a concern. One worker from the construction sector noted that they “have only succeeded through the union” (S181). A logistics worker described how they “got the run-around from team leader and supervisor so decided to take it up with union and fight for my pay” (S379). Union support was particularly critical in concerns around pay and in pay negotiations – something that several Pacific workers felt uncomfortable discussing. One worker said “response from the union was appreciated that they help me with what I asked!” (T063). Employers do not listen when concerns are raised Of approximately 370 people out of 738 who responded to our survey and had raised a concern in the last two years, 93 indicated that they had raised their concern with someone. Table 8 sets out which person or organisation they had raised their complaint with. Most concerns were raised directly with a supervisor, manager or other authority figure within the person’s organisation. Unions were the second most common channel identified. Table 8 Reporting a concern Who concern was raised with Responses Supervisor/team leader/manager at my organisation/company 87.10% Union 38.71% Ministry or Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) 7.53% Human Rights Commission 4.30% Other 12.90% Total respondents: 93 This table highlights that not only are Pacific workers raising their concerns, they are also raising them with the people who have responsibilities and obligations to address them. During our engagements, however, we heard from many workers that their concerns are often ignored or unaddressed. This leaves them feeling dissatisfied, disrespected, stressed and – in some cases – threatened. These experiences may be why 13.8 percent of Pacific workers had a concern but chose not to raise it with anyone. 80 Several Pacific workers we engaged with told us that, when they raised a concern, they were ignored. Most of the Pacific workers sharing experiences of being ignored came from the health sector. In the instance of one health worker, she shared that “I felt unheard, ignored and shoved to the side” (S116). In another example from the health sector, one person told us her employers tried to deter her from raising her concern. She shared the following experience: It was downplayed, ignored or I was told to bring it up in the next meeting or I was told someone has raised that issue with management and it didn’t go well. (S176) A construction worker had a similar experience when trying to raise pay concerns: Very stressful. The managers apologised for their behaviour. I raised concerns about my pay and they didn’t want to discuss this. (S210) Several Pacific workers reported experiences of their concerns getting no action. One healthcare worker told us: They escalate it and then it gets lost … no action. And then discontent continues to grow and us Pasifika staff are getting angry, internalising stress and unhappy in our work environments. (S093) While some employers were “open to hearing concerns but no actions” (S065), one particular worker shared that “I wasted my time to provide what they were asking for but they can’t do anything to help with my concern” (S146). Not only are Pacific workers’ concerns often ignored or not actioned, some people also experienced threatening behaviour in response to raising a concern. One worker shared that her experience with authority when raising a concern was “uncivilised, unethical, threatening to fire me, racists, extremist” (S115). In a more serious case, another worker shared their experience of feeling threatened: They acted supportive but were trying to get me fired from my job for medical reasons. I gave them full access to my medical records and they asked GP if I was not medically fit. I assume my GP gave me medical clearance because I am still in my role.