human rights risk. One approach could be to require accredited employer involvement with reputable industry bodies who can participate in compliance with minimum standards and have the scale and track record to ensure employment standards are met and human rights risks are mitigated. This could have the benefit of reducing the likelihood of workers being recruited to fake jobs. Involvement could also be designed to assist workers to move easily between different businesses within the industry. • • • 6 in need of specific human rights protections. Ratification of the treaty was a notable theme at New Zealand’s 2024 UN Universal Periodic Review.5 • Promote and fund initiatives that have a proven record of protecting workers’ human rights. There are businesses, unions, advocates and migrant community groups involved in initiatives that have positive human rights outcomes for migrant workers. Many of these initiatives could be expanded and the experiences and information generated by these groups used to shape AEWV policy. We are not aware of any current government initiatives/funding streams that provide funding for advocacy or other support to workers under the AEWV either directly or through community or nongovernmental programs. The Government should work closely with, and consider better resourcing, these organisations as an effective means of combatting migrant exploitation and human rights breaches. In the AEWV scheme, and in any review, provide meaningful opportunity for involvement of Tangata Whenua, hapū and iwi in policy design. Such input would include allowing Māori to determine the use of te ao Māori concepts in relation to the scheme. Such involvement should be appropriately funded. Make New Zealand party to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants Workers and Members of their Families. The treaty acknowledges that migrant workers are regarded internationally as vulnerable and Implement effective and specific modern slavery legislation. Effective modern slavery6 legislation must include human rights due diligence requirements, including that steps are taken by dominant actors in supply chains to ensure there is no exploitation within their supply chain. Stakeholders who were involved in large projects reported adverse human rights outcomes. Due diligence is an important mechanism to ensure there is proper oversight of human rights risks including mitigation, elimination and remediation. There is growing international pressure for modern slavery legislation. It was recommended by Brazil and the United Kingdom in the 2024 UN Universal Periodic Review with Mexico recommending that New Zealand’s legal framework needs to prevent cases of modern slavery. In April 2024, the European Union (EU) imposed mandatory corporate due diligence requirements through the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.7 This will require large companies doing business in the EU to conduct due diligence on human rights and environmental impacts. • Undertake a national plan of action for business and human rights. Prioritise the adoption and development of the action plan which should include an all of government response to migrant exploitation. 2.2.2 Recommendations to business • Do not accept free or unreasonably cheap recruitment services. Ensure you engage ethical recruitment agents by asking questions of the recruitment process and checking assurances. 5 Honduras, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Egypt, Columbia, Côte d’Ivoire, Bolivia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Uruguay, Paraguay, Philippines, Senegal and Algeria all recommended that New Zealand either ratify or consider ratifying the treaty. 6 See definition of modern slavery at section 7.7 below. 7 See: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/mfat-market-reports/european-union-corporate-sustainability-due-diligencefebruary-2024 The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Human Rights Review