Key Takeaways:
- Jafar Kurisi, a kiwifruit orchard labor contractor, pleaded guilty to exploiting migrant workers in New Zealand.
- Exploitation included harsh living conditions, underpayment, and a history of exploiting migrant workers.
- The guilty plea highlights the need for stronger protections for migrant workers and industry commitment to justice.
The Guilty Plea That Exposed Labor Exploitation in Tauranga’s Kiwifruit Orchards
In a case that throws the spotlight on New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry labor issues, a Tauranga kiwifruit orchard labor contractor, Jafar Kurisi, 59, from Parkvale, has owned up to exploiting migrant workers—an admission that came to light in the Tauranga District Court. On a Tuesday, Kurisi pleaded guilty to seven charges of exploiting unlawful employees and an additional charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Harsh Living Conditions and Underpayment
Kurisi’s exploitation took several forms, with one worker enduring living conditions where up to 20 people were crammed into a garage for four months, lacking heat or insulation. The hardship didn’t stop at inadequate living quarters; the workers, largely from Indonesia and Malaysia, were also subjected to financial exploitation—including deduction of $100 weekly rent from their wages and underpayment amounting to thousands of dollars.
Repeating Offender with a History of Migrant Exploitation
Kurisi, who is also known by the name Md Wagid Ali, has a history of exploiting migrant workers in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. He was previously sentenced in 2017 to 12 months of home detention and ordered to pay $55,000 in reparation for exploiting 13 workers. This past track record paints a worrying picture of repeated offenses that exploit the vulnerabilities of migrant workers for financial gain.
The Plight of Workers Fooled by Promise of Good Money
The workers fell into Kurisi’s exploitative trap after being convinced by a visa agent that they would make decent earnings in New Zealand. One victim had borrowed the equivalent of NZ$11,850 to pay for a supposed work visa and travel costs. Tragically, a language barrier led them to mistake a three-month visitor visa for a work permit, trapping them in a cycle of abuse and deceit.
A Deceitful Wage Gap
For their labor, the workers were expecting an hourly rate of $13. However, the reality was a grossly underpaid rate of $5 an hour, which was starkly lower than the minimum wage in New Zealand. Kurisi’s failure to provide even the most basic compensation has resulted in an estimated underpayment of $24,338.54 gross in minimum wages for one victim, with a cumulative total of unpaid wages hitting $121,134.06 across all exploited workers.
The Legal Repercussions of Worker Exploitation
The acknowledgment of guilt by Kurisi has expedited the legal process, with Judge Paul Geoghegan convicting him on all counts. Kurisi is now out on bail, with sentencing scheduled for May 1. This acts as a significant milestone in addressing Tauranga migrant worker underpayment and serves as a stern warning against similar exploitative practices.
Protective Measures and Industry Response
James Friend, national manager of immigration investigation at the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, emphasized the significance of safeguarding victims from further trauma by not reliving their experiences in court. Friend stated:
“Kurisi’s guilty plea allows our justice system to move forward to sentencing and, importantly, without retraumatising his victims who have now moved on to better stages of their lives.”
In response to the exploitation, Zespri, the horticulture industry leader, played a pivotal role in reporting the allegations. Their CEO, Dan Mathieson, welcomed the prosecution results, asserting the industry’s commitment to a safe work environment and efforts to pursue justice against exploitation. Mathieson highlighted:
“Any exploitation of workers is unacceptable… our industry is committed to working alongside the Government to ensure our industry is one where people are valued, supported and safe in their jobs.”
Looking Ahead: The Path Forward for Migrant Workers
The guilty plea by Kurisi, while uncovering the grim reality of kiwifruit orchard exploitation, also sparks hope for a future with stronger protections for migrant workers. Efforts to rehome those affected with legitimate employers signal a move in the right direction, as most victims have continued living and working in New Zealand, with an unfortunate majority eventually leaving the country.
The joint efforts between government bodies and industry leaders underscore a collective commitment to upholding ethical labor standards. Ensuring that anyone who oversteps these standards is held accountable will be crucial to maintaining New Zealand’s reputation as a fair and just place for migrant workers.
For more information on immigration rights and responsibilities in New Zealand, visit the Immigration New Zealand website. It is an authoritative resource for migrants and provides guidance on work entitlements and employer obligations.
Learn Today:
Glossary or Definitions
1. Labor exploitation: The act of unfair treatment, abuse, or mistreatment of workers, usually involving poor working conditions, underpayment, and violation of labor rights.
2. Migrant workers: Individuals who move from one country or region to another for the purpose of employment. They often face unique challenges related to their immigration status and vulnerability to exploitation.
3. Exploitation: The act of taking advantage of someone for personal gain, often through mistreatment, manipulation, or abuse. In the context of immigration, exploitation refers to the unfair treatment of migrant workers, such as underpayment, hazardous working conditions, or withholding of rights and benefits.
4. Unlawful employees: Workers who are not authorized to work in a specific country due to visa restrictions or immigration regulations.
5. Attempting to pervert the course of justice: An act that involves intentionally obstructing or interfering with the legal process in order to influence the outcome of a case or avoid legal consequences.
6. Living conditions: The quality and suitability of the housing or accommodation for individuals. In the context of labor exploitation, it often refers to poor or inadequate housing provided by employers to migrant workers.
7. Financial exploitation: The act of taking unfair advantage of someone’s financial resources or situation through practices such as underpayment, illegal deductions, or unfair compensation.
8. Deduction: The amount of money that is subtracted or withheld from wages or earnings, often for taxes, insurance, or specific purposes as agreed upon by an employer and employee.
9. Indigenous + non-status workers: Indigenous workers who may not have official legal status or documentation in the country where they are working. They are often more vulnerable to exploitation due to their marginalized status.
10. Reparation: The act of compensating or making amends to someone who has been wronged or harmed. In the context of labor exploitation, it refers to the payment or restitution owed to workers for their mistreatment.
11. Visa agent: A person or entity that assists individuals with obtaining visas or other immigration documents, often charging a fee for their services.
12. Work permit: A document issued by a country’s immigration authorities that allows a foreign national to legally work in that country for a specific period of time.
13. Minimum wage: The legally mandated lowest wage that employers must pay to their employees for the work performed, as determined by the government or labor authorities.
14. Gross underpayment: The total amount of wages that have not been paid or have been paid below the legally required minimum wage.
15. Legal process: The formal procedures and steps involved in the administration and resolution of a legal case, often including hearings, trials, and the evaluation of evidence.
16. Conviction: A formal declaration by a court that someone is guilty of a criminal offense. It often carries legal consequences such as penalties, fines, or imprisonment.
17. Safety measures: Protective actions and policies implemented by employers, government agencies, or industry leaders to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in their workplace.
18. Ethical labor standards: The guidelines and principles that promote fair treatment, safe working conditions, and equitable compensation for workers. They are intended to protect workers’ rights and prevent exploitation or abuse.
19. Accountability: The obligation and responsibility to accept the consequences of one’s actions or decisions. In the context of labor exploitation, it refers to the enforcement of legal and ethical standards and holding individuals or entities responsible for their actions.
20. Immigration rights: The legal rights and protections afforded to migrants, including the right to live and work in a specific country, access to basic services, and protection from exploitation or discrimination based on immigration status.
In conclusion, the case of Jafar Kurisi sheds light on the labor exploitation happening in Tauranga’s kiwifruit orchards. It’s a reminder that we must protect migrant workers from unscrupulous individuals like Kurisi who take advantage of their vulnerabilities. The legal repercussions and industry response show a collective effort to address these issues and ensure a safe work environment. If you want to dive deeper into immigration rights and responsibilities in New Zealand, head over to visaverge.com for more comprehensive information. Remember, knowledge is power!
This Article in a Nutshell:
In Tauranga, New Zealand, a kiwifruit orchard labor contractor named Jafar Kurisi recently pleaded guilty to exploiting migrant workers. The workers lived in cramped, inadequate conditions, were underpaid, and fell victim to deceit. Kurisi has a history of exploiting workers and will face sentencing in May. Efforts are being made to protect victims and ensure a fair work environment.
