Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:619;Page:14794] 
2.  
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Immigration 
: What has been done since the briefing to the incoming Minister in 2002 to deal with stated concerns about the need to resolve the multitude of issues created by sweatshop operations? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Minister of Immigration) 
: 
 Quite a lot. In early 2003 a task force comprising the Immigration Service Department of Labour inspectors and the Occupational Safety and Health Service was formed within the Department of Labour. The job of the task force is to target the worst cases of exploitation including sweatshops. I am advised that four investigations into suspected sweatshop operations have been completed and a further five investigations are under way. This has been a good effort from department officials who are concerned about this issue particularly in the Auckland area. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: If that is true why did he say yesterday: “It is unclear how widespread the problem is but from my discussions with the horticulture industry my view is that there is a problem.” and by that is he saying that in the last 2 years since that briefing paper he has talked to only one industry about this very serious matter? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: No and no. 
Lianne Dalziel 
: What other measures have been undertaken by the Department of Labour to ensure compliance with the Immigration Act particularly in light of the stricter laws covering employers that were introduced last year? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: As I indicated yesterday the penalties for employers engaged in the activity of exploiting people particularly people who are not lawfully entitled to be in New Zealand have been increased with the support of the whole House. In addition the department is involved in employer education. In the year ended 30 June 2004 262 immigration-related employer education visits took place. In many cases those resulted in improved compliance by the employer as evidenced by follow-up visits. 
Rod Donald 
: Is there not a contradiction between the Government’s justified opposition to Thai sweatshops operating in New Zealand and its endorsement of sweatshop exploitation through its proposed Thailand and China free-trade agreements? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: No. We are concerned about issues in New Zealand but the free-trade agreements that we have with other countries around the world are important not just for the benefit and advantage they bring the New Zealand workforce but also for the trading opportunities that can arise from them for the developing countries as well—something that member supported when he was involved in one of those organisations before he came to Parliament. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Does the Minister have any knowledge of legal action being taken against the Fernridge Institute of Training or the people who employed the Ukrainian farm workers which were both instances where the employment and payment were totally illegal; if he has none is it not a fact that his department has done virtually nothing on this issue? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: No I do not accept that. If the Ukrainian farm workers whom he mentioned are those that his colleague Mr Mark has raised—if that is the issue he is talking about—the fact is the farmers down there still consider themselves to be highly aggrieved by unfounded allegations made by that member and they are still waiting for an apology from him. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked the Minister whether he had any knowledge of prosecutions being taken against the Fernridge Institute of Training or those farmers evidence for which was tabled in this House in terms of their contracts. If the answer is no why does he not say so? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I think I answered the second question but as far as the first question is concerned I am not certain about that and am happy to get back to the member with information when I get it.