A new organisation to protect the rights of workers of Indian origin will be established at a meeting due to be held on October 28 in Auckland.
The meeting will be held from 2 pm at the Western Springs Garden Community Hall (956-990 Great North Road) and is open to all Indian workers and supporters of workers’ rights.
An initiative of ‘Shaheed Bhagat Singh Charitable Trust’, and supported by Unite Union, its organisers believe that there are sound reasons to form an association since migrant workers from India are often exploited by unscrupulous employers, some of whom could be even well-known multinationals.
Anu Kaloti, who is an official of the Trust, said that there have been several discussions in recent months over the ‘misuse’ of workers from overseas.
“These companies range from small businesses and large companies with branches throughout the world. Such workers suffer in silence as there is no avenue to voice their sufferings,” he said.
He said that there was a pronounced need for an organisation that would understand the varying problems of migrant workers, including underpayment, delayed payment and non-payment of salaries, unreasonable living and working conditions, exploitation of their work permit status and other issues.
“The new organisation will engage with overseas workers, even if they do not have work visas, permanent residence in New Zealand. Young people on student visa and job-search visas are also often exploited,” he said.
“Unite Union already has several workers of Indian origin, in addition to members and delegates in the fast food industry.”
Mr Kaloti said that the Union had offered assistance in organising and assisting other Indian migrant workers in dealing with their problems.
“This will include education and training in employment rights and advocacy.”
For more details, contact: Anu Kaloti Email: anukaloti@xtra.co.nz
