Thread by @KaraninaSumeo

Every worker that we spoke to said that the total weekly deductions were too high, leaving them with little to spend on themselves. Some were left with as little as $35 net pay at the end of a fortnight.
* Disclaimer: Some details may be distressing.
#Thread
#RSEscheme

Some RSE workers told us they were being charged for the tools of the trade, such as gloves, boots, and pruning and trimming equipment to perform the job when they were employees and not contractors.

All workers we spoke to were charged between $20-$45p/w for transport between the accommodation & work site. One group bought their own vehicle but was told by the employer they couldn't use it & must use company van instead. The workers said they were forced to sell the vehicle.

Other RSE workers told us they were required to purchase five meals from the employer at $10 per dinner even though they wished to make their own dinner. They raised it with their employer but were unable to negotiate and had to purchase the meals.

Many of the workers’ payslips we viewed showed deductions labelled as “debt”,“loan" or “arrears” without any other explanation. At one accommodation unit, we heard from workers who had $250 deducted from their pay every time the smoke alarm in the kitchen went off.
#modernslavery

Often, after all deductions are made, many workers are left with less than minimum wage. The Wages Protection Act 1983 requires that any deductions from wages can only be made with the written consent of the worker. An employer cannot make unreasonable deductions under the Act.

Over the past year, the Commission observed and heard about potential violations of RSE workers’ human rights under the RSE scheme through exploitation, unreasonable deductions from their pay, denial of personal and cultural freedoms and grossly inadequate housing.

I urge the Government to incorporate my observations from this past year as captured in our report into the review of the RSE scheme.
These are our recommendations to the Government below.
Read our full report here: bit.ly/3HrzGes

While I acknowledge and welcome the Government’s assurance that a review is taking place, I'd urged them to incorporate my observations from this past year as captured in this report into their review of the #RSEscheme.
rnz.co.nz/national/progr…