Sharples Pita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Sharples Pita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:634;Page:5551] 
9.  
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
 to the  
Minister of Immigration 
: What is his response to the statement from Sealord’s Chief Executive Doug McKay that the Government’s recent proposals to intervene in arrangements with foreign-chartered fishing vessels “will threaten Sealord’s viability punish the fishing industry in general and hurt the New Zealand economy”? 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Immigration 
: The Government is aware of the views of the fishing industry and those views were taken into account by Cabinet in reaching the decision announced yesterday. That decision was that the minimum wage would be paid with no deductions below that level with increases to that rate over time. There would be a guarantee from a New Zealand company to ensure accountability employment disputes would be settled in New Zealand and a mandatory code of practice for minimum working and living conditions would be implemented. The fishing industry is important to our economy but it cannot be built on the exploitation mistreatment underpayment and abuse of foreign crews. The wage adjustments required under the new rules for foreign fishing crews are modest and will take effect over time. 
Dr Pita Sharples 
: Has the Minister received any advice from iwi that the Government’s proposals will have a disproportionate effect on Maori-owned fisheries quota; if so what advice has he received from the chairman of Te Ohu Kai Moana the Maori fisheries commission? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Yes those views were received and were considered by Cabinet but there was no justification at all for making an exception to the requirement so that iwi-based companies as opposed to other organisations could pay foreign crew fishing in New Zealand waters less than the minimum wage. 
Georgina Beyer 
: Why is the Government requiring increases in minimum pay for foreign fishing crew? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Immigration policy requires that all temporary migrant workers in New Zealand are paid market rates for their work not just the minimum wage. This is to protect New Zealand workers by ensuring that their terms and conditions and employment opportunities are not undercut. 
Peter Brown 
: Noting those answers can the Minister provide the House with one good sound reason why he should permit foreign labour to be employed at less than the minimum wage on fishing vessels operating within our economic zone and not do the same for shore-based industries? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: I think the member has made an extremely valid point in his question. There is no justification at all for paying any workers employed in New Zealand situations less than the minimum wage. That is the new requirement and it will be enforced by our Government. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Tena koe Madam Speaker; kia ora tatou. Could the Minister explain which New Zealand companies are not paying the minimum wage to crews on foreign-chartered vessels and what action is he taking against those companies? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: No information has been provided as to abuse of the current requirement to pay the minimum wage although it is clear from the representations from the industry that the deductions that were made to the pay of foreign crew actually brought their level of payment to below the minimum wage. It is also clear from the information provided by representatives of the fishing industry that the costs that they calculate the new requirements would impose on them can be accurate only if in fact they are now paying under the minimum wage which is not allowed under the current rules. 
Dr Pita Sharples 
: What consultation has been undertaken with the Minister of Maori Affairs and what has his response been to the claims from Maori involved in the fishing industry that unwarranted Government interference in arrangements with foreign-chartered fishing vessels will render many iwi businesses marginal or uneconomic? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Industry consultation has been ongoing for over 18 months. As I indicated in the answer to a previous supplementary question the views expressed by the member in his primary question were considered carefully by Cabinet as part of our decision-making process.