The Unionist, Issue 49, 14 July 2006

Unions are increasingly grappling with migration issues, and earlier this year the CTU migration workgroup was convened to work on union perspectives in this area, writes the Unionist this week.  Either read on, or you can download a printable version here (PDF file, 60 KB).

Unions Present Views On Migration Issues

Unions are increasingly grappling with migration issues, and earlier this year the CTU migration workgroup was convened to work on union perspectives in this area.

Govt Review of Immigration Act
Last year the government announced that it would be undertaking a review of the Immigration Act 1987, and in April issued a discussion paper to seek initial views before legislation is drafted in the new year. 

The CTU was among several hundred organisations and individuals to submit to the review, arguing that the policy framework around immigration needs to be clearly placed within a broader social and economic development agenda.

Short Term Solutions Mask Longer Term Problems
Unions believe that a primary reason for current skill shortages has been the lack of investment in training, and some employers who fail to offer acceptable pay and conditions that will attract workers residing in New Zealand.

Migrant labour is often cited as a solution to these shortages, but in both cases it is a short-term solution that masks larger and longer-term issues in the labour market.

A lack of enforcement powers against bad employers was making it easier for them to undermine pay, conditions and health and safety.

The CTU’s submission argued therefore that any legislative and policy framework should not detract away from a commitment to developing high levels of skills and training for workers resident in New Zealand, as well as efforts to address structural low wages.

Rogue Employers
Exploitation of workers, such as those from foreign fishing companies being advocated for by the Maritime Union, and the failure to enforce labour laws on behalf of workers in such cases, prompted unions to highlight the problems around rogue employers in the CTU submission.

The submission supported a proposal for the imposition of good employer provisions on an ongoing basis, not just a one-off requirement when employers are initially sponsoring migrant workers.  

Better recognition of rights of migrant workers
In the context of a rights based approach to immigration, the CTU argued that not enough attention was placed in the discussion paper on the barriers to migrant integration and their rights at work.

Unions are already doing work in this area, and the submission made reference to initiatives like the NZ Nurses Organisation’s “Overseas Nurses – Be Careful” flier.

The CTU advocated that the government give greater attention to its international relationship with Pacific Island states in the South Pacific region, and increase migrant access on family and humanitarian grounds.

Other proposals concern
Unions are also concerned about delegating immigration decision-making to employers, proposals to add strengthened health and character requirements as grounds for exclusion of migrants, and the potential implications of an extension to include “glorification of terrorism” as grounds for refusing entry.

The CTU argued that more attention should be paid in new legislation to incorporating our international commitments in relation to migrant labour, and strongly asserted that policy space for domestic regulation on immigration should not be undermined by any GATS commitments government signs up to.

After the government has considered submissions, draft legislation will be introduced, which the Minister of Immigration expects to be in April 2007. 

90 Days No-Rights-Bill National Day of Action Next Thursday!

Take part in a rallies around the country as part of the National Day of Action on Thursday July 20.  There are events on the day in 4 areas, on the Saturday in Christchurch, and the following month in Auckland.

AUCKLAND:   
Rally, Weds August 23, 12:30pm, Aotea Square, Auckland.

HAMILTON:   
Rally, Thur July 20, 11.30am-2pm.  Ward Street (between Downtown and Centre Place mall).

WELLINGTON:   
Rally, Thur July 20, 12.30pm.  Parliament.  Contact 0800 1 Union, www.workrights.org.nz

NELSON:   
Rally, Thur July 20, 12noon.  The 1903 Square, Trafalgar St (opposite the Cathedral steps).     Contact: Carl Horn 546-9656, chorn@nduunion.org.nz

CHRISTCHURCH:   
Rally, Sat July 22, 12:00 noon.  Victoria Square, Cnr Colombo and Armagh Streets,      Christchurch.  Contact Karena Brown: 03-353-0283, Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz.

DUNEDIN:   
Rally, Thur July 20, 12.30pm, National Party office, 83 Moray Place, Dunedin.

For more information on the campaign, click here.

Events

Unions Local

Unions Wellington
Mon July 17, 5pm.
CTU, Lv 7, Ed House, 178 Willis St.
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tue July 18, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Tue July 18, 4pm.
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Otago
Tue July 18, 4.30pm
NZNO, Level 3, 7 Crawford St, Dunedin
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue July 25, 5pm.
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri July 28, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Other campaigns and events

SuperSizeMyPay.Com - Akld
McFight Night – Every Friday Night.  5-6.30pm.
Pt Chev McDonalds, Gt Nth Rd, Auckland (09) 845-2132,
help@unite.org.nz

Workers Educational Assn.
Tuesday 18 July, 5:15 p.m.
NZCTU Boardroom
communitymedia@paradise.net.nz

Clean Start Int’l Day of Action
Auckland: July 20, 12.30pm
Rally, meet outside Britomart
Phone Fala 375 2755, email
fala.haulangi@sfwu.org.nz
Wellington: July 20, 12.30pm
Rally conciding with EPMU 90 Days rally, Parliament grounds.
Phone Mea’ole 566-8274, email
meaole.keil@sfwu.org.nz

“Talking Union”
Thursday 20 July, 5:15 p.m.
NZCTU Boardroom
pbolster@anet.co.nz

SuperSizeMyPay.Com - Wgtn
Wellington
Fri July 21 - Picket, McDonalds Basin Reserve, Adelaide Rd.  4pm.
Fri Aug 4 - Picket, McDonald Manners Mall. 4pm.
Ph: 385 2529, kathryn@unite.org.nz

Death (and love) in Gaza, homage to a young activist, based on the life and writings of Rachel Corrie and other Internationalists.
BATS Theatre, Wellington, July 25 to August 5, Tues to Sat, 7.00pm.  Bookings 802 4175

Working Women’s Resource Centre Mid Winter Christmas get together and dinner.
Fri July 28, 5.3opm-8pm.
Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Akld.  $5.00 per person
09 379 7906, wwrc@ihug.co.nz

CTU Meetings, Training

MUNZ Learning Reps Workshop
Thursday, 20th July, 9am - 1pm
MUNZ National Office, Level 1, Waterside House, 200 Willis St, Wellington
marym@nzctu.org.nz

ACC Partnership Programme Training For Union Representatives: Stage 1.
Thur 27 July, 9am-4pm.
Te Wananga O Aotearoa, Dinsdale Road, Rotorua.
thomasw@nzctu.org.nz

Unions at Work:  Cross Union Delegate Seminar 
Tue Aug 22, 9.00am – 4.30pm
Invercargill – venue to be advised. karenn@nzctu.org.nz before 1 Aug.

Contact

If you have any information about upcoming CTU events please contact:
Sam Huggard - (04) 802 3817, email: samh@nzctu.org.nz