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New RSE changes raise eyebrows |
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Written by Marieta Heidi Ilalio
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Sunday, 07 June 2009 14:50 |
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 Proposed changes to the popular Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme have raised eyebrows in Samoa and New Zealand.
Last week, the New Zealand government announced that deductions could be made from the minimum wage and that the workers would need to buy health insurance.
Under RSE, hundreds of Samoan and other Pacific Islanders travel to New Zealand to work for limited periods in horticulture.
The New Zealand government says the proposed changes will introduce greater transparency.
But a contractor who has traveled to New Zealand three times leading a group of RSE workers disagrees.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity in fear of future consequences, the contractor said the changes are ridiculous.
“It basically means they are charging us more. Now the workers would get nothing from their salaries,” she said. “The purpose of the RSE then is defeated.”
Workers are required to pay for accommodation, living costs and other expenses from their salaries, she said.
“So if you add this, it is so unacceptable,” she said.
“We are not stupid Samoan people who do not know the rules and regulations of the programme.
“We are thankful for the opportunity given to the Pacific Islanders to work for such a programme, but if this is the case, I will not take anymore workers for RSE.”
Another RSE employer said the health insurance costs are unnecessary.
“The deductions can’t cover a day for us to be in a hospital in New Zealand,” he said.
“So there is no need for such a deduction for health insurance.”
Meantime, an MP in the New Zealand’s opposition Labour Party said deductions from the minimum wages paid to the Pacific workers is shocking.
Darien Fenton said the move exploits vulnerable workers.
“These workers are very vulnerable,” said the MP.
“They are brought in from the Pacific. It is an opportunity for them and their families. They come here they have English as a second language. They don’t know the rules and regulations.
“They don’t know their rights. They don’t have any opportunity to negotiate with the employer and they don’t have any choice who they are going to work for. “That’s why Labour brought in the protections that were there and if we are going to be paying them less than the minimum wage I just think that is outrageous, and it also impacts on the local economy and local workers’ wages as well.”
New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration, Dr Jonathan Coleman, dismissed the criticism. He said the Labour Party was in an ideological straitjacket.
The compulsory deductions for health insurance are vital because many of the workers have no cover at all, he said.
“When they get into health difficulties they are presented with a situation where they can’t access health care and in those situations where they do get access the New Zealand tax payer ends up footing the bill,” he said.
“So we are saying we are going to make it incumbent on the employers to arrange health insurance which the RSE workers will have to pay for.” Back
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