'Modern slavery exists here too': Investigator claims exploitation of workers rife in New Zealand
Thursday, 27 October 2022
A Bay of Plenty private investigator who specialises in labour exploitation, organised crime and human trafficking has claimed the number of workers exploited and enslaved by employers could rise further after New Zealand’s borders reopened to migrant workers.
Former police detective Sean Hatwell previously worked in Thailand investigating cases of women who were trafficked for sex work. Now back in New Zealand, he claimed unscrupulous employee practises also happen in Aotearoa.
“Modern slavery exists here too,” he said. “We have a large migrant workforce, set to increase. In some industries they can be exploited with poor wages and conditions.
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“It is a hard to investigate, as often victims are unwilling to speak out as they need the work or have been promised a visa, residency or other things.”
Hatwell said industries in which migrant workers could be potentially vulnerable include horticulture, construction, hospitality and beauty salons. As an ethical labour supply investigator in the private sector, he has been successful in helping to bring migration-related crimes to court.
Tauranga man Jafar Kurisi faces trial next year on charges of worker exploitation in the kiwifruit industry. There have been previous successful convictions in New Zealand for both human trafficking and worker exploitation.
Hatwell warns that as migrants re-enter the New Zealand workforce, there is an increased risk of unethical treatment.
The government recently announced an increase in workers in the RSE Scheme, which brings in seasonal workers from across the Pacific. Some 19,000 migrants will be permitted – an increase of 3000 places – which the government said was necessary to address the country’s labour shortage.
The RSE scheme has been investigated after reports of overcrowded and poor living conditions for some workers, following complaints revealed by Stuff about accommodation, pay and care issues.
The Labour Inspectorate has investigated at least 16 workplaces, responding to concerns about the treatment of workers. Green Party Pacific Peoples spokesperson Teanau Tuiono has previously said the RSE scheme was designed to be “exploitative” and needed reform.
Hatwell agreed there should be more protection for migrant workers.
“I suspect there are more cases that have not been called upon for investigation,” he said.
Hatwell will speak about his experiences in a fundraising dinner to fight human trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region. Tearfund’s annual Trafficking Unlocked fundraiser will be held in Tauranga for the first time, at Trinity Wharf Hotel on November 3 and at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland on November 4.
The charity engages international partners and investigators such as Hatwell, to battle human trafficking in the region.
Tearfund’s Luisa Giacon said there are more than 27.5 million people caught in forced slavery, of which 6.3 million are exploited for sex.
“It is a huge task to reduce these numbers,” said Giacon. “It’s not just about releasing survivors from harm, it is about stopping trafficking before it starts through prevention, breaking the criminal networks involved and helping to prosecute those behind this miserable trade in human lives.
“To do this, it’s going to take a strong network of generous individuals and businesses in New Zealand to bring down these networks of traffickers and change the tide on trafficking.”
The event will be hosted by Television New Zealand’s Breakfast host Indira Stewart, and other speakers include award-winning humanitarian advocate Nikki Denholm. There will also be performances from singer/songwriter Anna Hawkins and international cellist Dominic Lee.
Also included will be a performance by Royal New Zealand Ballet artist Luke Cooper, in a short work inspired by overcoming adversity to find freedom, specially created for the event. A panel of experts will present Tearfund’s holistic vision, explore innovative ways to partner in the fight with Aotearoa’s business community and answer questions.
When: Thursday, November 3
Where: Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga
Time: 6:30pm
Book at: Tearfund.org.nz