11. Question No. 11—Workplace Relations and SafetyCAMILLA BELICH (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 11—Workplace Relations and Safety11. CAMILLA BELICH (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Will she take steps to progress work on addressing modern slavery and exploitation in New Zealand's supply chain; if so when?Hon BROOKE van VELDEN (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): The Government has not made any decisions on progressing work to address modern slavery and exploitation. Modern slavery is a concerning issue that should be appropriately punished where it has occurred. However I would also stress that regulations are not required for businesses to review their supply chains and ensure that they are free from modern slavery. I'd also like to point out the many measures that are already in place to combat modern slavery practices under this Government. Dealing in slaves is a criminal offence. Trafficking in persons is a criminal offence. Exploitation of unlawful employees and temporary workers is a criminal offence. Coerced marriage or civil union is a criminal offence. Employment law including breaches such as failing to retain employment records denying leave and underpayment of wages are offences and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has published a series of ethical and sustainable work practice resources to help businesses apply ethical and sustainable work practices both within their organisations and across business networks.Camilla Belich: Do the New Zealand - UK free-trade agreement and the New Zealand - EU free-trade agreement require New Zealand to have specific measures addressing modern slavery in our supply chain?Hon BROOKE van VELDEN: We have agreements with both the EU and the UK about modern slavery; however in my view the Government's current practices meet these obligations.Camilla Belich: Given that answer and that the New Zealand - EU agreement has specific provisions for modern slavery in article 19.12 and the New Zealand - UK free-trade agreement has a specific provision in relation to modern slavery in article 23.9 why has MBIE admitted it is doing no such work to implement such measures?Hon BROOKE van VELDEN: I'll just refer to a few of my previous comments. There are a range of criminal offences and offences under New Zealand law that address modern slavery already in place under this Government. Under the UK and EU free-trade agreements yes there are requirements about labour laws. It is in my view that our current guidelines and laws meet these obligations. However I'd also like to suggest that under the previous Government there was no legislation and there was no work getting anywhere near what that member is suggesting.Camilla Belich: Is MBIE correct then when they said that they ended work on modern slavery that was initiated under the previous Government due to the Minister's priorities and if so why is modern slavery not a priority for her?Hon BROOKE van VELDEN: I haven't asked MBIE to stop work.Camilla Belich: So is MBIE incorrect when they stated to the Education and Workforce Committee that they were not working on modern slavery due to a decision made by her—that was incorrect?Hon BROOKE van VELDEN: I'd like to suggest that the advice I received on MBIE's labour market session last week said work paused at the election" and that's a question really for the member of that member's party about why the work paused at the election. Since the election I've asked MBIE to focus on my priorities which it is doing.Camilla Belich: Does she agree with Christopher Luxon who said "There's something I feel very passionate about: is modern slavery for example. It's something that I've been really passionate about for a long time. That's something that I think we could do a better job … [on] and have modern slavery legislation and make sure that we're holding … ourselves to a standard. There are those things that I feel passionate about." and if so why is modern slavery not a priority for this Government?Hon BROOKE van VELDEN: I stand by the statement made by our Prime Minister which he also said a few months ago that at the moment it's not a priority for us. What is a priority for me is focusing on the issues that really really matter to New Zealand businesses. If businesses aren't able to even uphold basic labour market standards such as making sure people have their correct entitlements for holidays pay we have some serious issues. That Government did not finalise work on holidays pay and that is one area that is my top priority. We have hundreds if not thousands of Kiwis that are being underpaid their correct entitlements. That is what that member should be focused on—rights for workers here in New Zealand and that they actually get their correct entitlements paid for by business."