Green MP suspended for migrant exploitation claims

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thinkingtrex8848

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#312091 16-Mar-2024 09:33

Really hope Green pulls through from recent events. For a small party, they seem to have a large % of scandals. Makes sense for National or Labour to have these many scandals considering they are large and it’s basic numbers.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/15/green-mp-suspended-over-migrant-worker-exploitation-claims/

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#3206935 16-Mar-2024 10:39

Ther are no details on this one yet. It is unclear if it is a scandal as such. While The Green Party is specifically against and concerned with migrant exploitation the suspension appears to be instant as a result of the MP not alerting the party earlier to the business events the MP was aware of.

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#3206948 16-Mar-2024 11:42

Plenty of news articles on all streams of media. Hence why the title reflects “claims”

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#3206957 16-Mar-2024 13:46

Article has more detail:

Stuff: A Stuff investigation reported how Argentinian migrant Santiago Latour Palma claimed he had worked illegally for e-bike business E-Cycles NZ Ltd, trading as Bikes and Beyond, and was owed $25,000 in missing pay.

Bikes and Beyond is owned by Tana’s husband, Hoff-Nielsen, and was founded by the couple before she relinquished her shareholding in 2019. Palma said Tana had overseen his work trial and was aware of his situation.

The article notes the company has previously lost unrelated similar cases in the employment process.

ezbee

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#3207012 16-Mar-2024 20:02

Even the accredited employer scheme seems to have all too regular problems.
People employed for Restaurants, Horticulture, Vineyards, and various trades, and now apparently a bowling alley deserves special treatment too?

Probe launched after allegations of migrant exploitation at Metrolanes Auckland bowling alley
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511758/probe-launched-after-allegations-of-migrant-exploitation-at-metrolanes-auckland-bowling-alley

""
Migrant workers employed under the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme at Metrolanes Bowling Alley at the SkyWorld Entertainment Centre alleged they were made to sign "under the table" agreements to accept salaries below the minimum wage, and were forced to live in the home of the employer.
""

Exploitation allegations at an Auckland restaurant reflect mammoth immigration challenge ahead
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/511460/exploitation-allegations-at-an-auckland-restaurant-reflect-mammoth-immigration-challenge-ahead

Immigration New Zealand launches investigation into migrant worker exploitation
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/496022/immigration-new-zealand-launches-investigation-into-migrant-worker-exploitation

matisyahu

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#3207025 16-Mar-2024 22:12

So now we know when businesses complain that they cannot get staff what they're really complaining about is the lack of people they can exploit and kept silent through fear of being deported. Remember the complaints post covid about the worker shortage, maybe there wasn't an actual worker shortage but businesses refusing to train new staff, provide stable hours, good working conditions and a decent pay packet.

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#3207033 16-Mar-2024 23:21

matisyahu:

So now we know when businesses complain that they cannot get staff what they're really complaining about is the lack of people they can exploit and kept silent through fear of being deported. Remember the complaints post covid about the worker shortage, maybe there wasn't an actual worker shortage but businesses refusing to train new staff, provide stable hours, good working conditions and a decent pay packet.

Not fair to paint all businesses with the same brush.

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#3209741 23-Mar-2024 09:06

Stuff's investigative reporting on this topic continues:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350222068/more-claims-emerge-against-suspended-green-mp-darleen-tana

New emails and dates, experience of local employees.

Handle9

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#3231046 16-May-2024 06:18

This has really dragged out. You'd have to think at some point the media will really ratchet up the pressure on the greens leadership.

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#3231064 16-May-2024 08:29

That seems to be happening with both TVNZ and NZHerald today.

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#3233654 23-May-2024 05:33

It's rather surprising that the Green party have used taxpayer funds for this investigation. Aside from the time it's taken I would have thought it should have been funded by the Green Party.

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#3234735 26-May-2024 09:18

Handle9:

It's rather surprising that the Green party have used taxpayer funds for this investigation. Aside from the time it's taken I would have thought it should have been funded by the Green Party.

So true. Using taxpayer money to cover costs like this is a very bad idea. It undermines public trust, creates unfair advantages, weakens accountability, and sets a dangerous precedent. Public funds are meant to benefit everyone, not to protect those under investigation for wrongdoing. It's concerning that this is allowed to happen, and while it may not be surprising given the state of our parliamentary system, it's still deeply troubling.

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#3234756 26-May-2024 11:24

Another one, its more common than many would think especially in hospitality industry.

Extortion of immigrants exposed as Hamilton restaurant ordered to pay $99K in damages
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/extortion-of-immigrants-exposed-as-hamilton-restaurant-ordered-to-pay-99k-in-damages/6IVQLJ5JYFF2HNCIXS3XN54VPY/

""
Three immigrant restaurant workers on less than $8 per hour and who were not paid for all the time they worked were told they had to give $30,000 to their employers to remain in the country or risk deportation.
""

Though with defunding and fewer staff I expect Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will be pursuing these expensive investigations less and less.

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#3234784 26-May-2024 13:52

ezbee: Another one, its more common than many would think especially in hospitality industry. Extortion of immigrants exposed as Hamilton restaurant ordered to pay $99K in damages

That one is unrelated to Tana and is a topic that probably deserves its own thread. It is good these cases are prosecuted. Unfortunately it is common and that one is almost certainly tip of an iceberg. This kind of thing deserves jail time and I hope that is an option.

Like you I had previously assumed people in this kind of working situation are immigrants and regardless would have the right to stay after a period of work. I recently learned this is not the case. People are often or usually on a work permit with absolutely no path to residence and are actually required to leave at the end of the term and then they are not allowed back for a period.

I really dislike this permitting of work with no path to residence and I don't think it's good for community in New Zealand.

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#3235220 27-May-2024 13:26

Incidentally it's another week without resolution on the actual Tana case.

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#3235662 28-May-2024 06:18

GV27:
Incidentally it's another week without resolution on the actual Tana case.

At this point if it’s not a resignation it’ll look like a coverup. The greens are just going from one mess to another.

Labour have remained pretty cohesive since the election and the circus hasn’t really been in town for them yet. The greens have been an omni-shambles and the less said about the vitriol coming from TPM the better.

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