The Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV)
The MEPV is aimed at protecting migrant workers in New Zealand from exploitation. This visa is not limited to extreme cases of things like human trafficking but also addresses situations where employers take advantage of vulnerable workers on temporary visas.
For Kiwis, the flexibility to switch employers or access government financial support during periods of transition from one employer to another is something we take for granted. Our migrant workers on temporary visas do not have the same freedoms.
If a migrant on a temporary work visa leaves their abusive employer, they must find an alternative visa or leave the country.
Some might say this is fair, if they don’t like it leave, go home! But we live in a community where migrants from all over the world have contributed to making our town what it is, should we have this attitude? You decide.
An example of who could apply for an MEPV
A worker whose hours are consistently cut to less than 20 hours a week, her contract with her employer says 30 hours. Bullied by her supervisors and constantly told it is the fault of the staff that the business is not doing well, hours have been cut because they don’t work hard enough. She’s told if she complains, her visa will be cancelled, and she should be grateful to have a job.
This, unfortunately, is a common story we hear.
The question we should all ask ourselves, is this fair, should a migrant be grateful and accept this type of treatment?
The Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV) serves, as a critical safety net for these workers. It allows them to escape exploitative situations, granting temporary protection while they seek a new employer, in most cases giving up a long-term work visa for a visa lasting only six months. It is not a silver bullet, but it is the only real tool available to migrants to get them out of vulnerable situations.
What does the MEPV give a migrant? Six months’ open work visa, this means they can work for ANY employer with no restrictions on pay rates... freedom! (even if it’s just for 6 months.)
This matters, New Zealand is a first-world country, and we pride ourselves on caring, but we are only as good as our most vulnerable community members.
