Immigration NZ Crackdown Queenstown Businesses, Deportation Notices Issued

So, the MBIE and Immigration New Zealand have just rolled into Queenstown, and they’ve done what we all knew needed to be done. Eleven businesses were visited, and two workers have been handed deportation notices. This INZ news is not a surprise, is it? You only have to look at the retail and hospitality sectors to see where the dodgy dealings are most likely happening. And we’ve all heard the stories, haven’t we? Migrant workers, overworked, underpaid, and exploited by employers who think the rules don’t apply to them.

Three infringement notices were issued to businesses, and three visas were cancelled for people who’ve already left New Zealand. Good riddance. But let’s not pretend this is just a Queenstown issue. Brendon Strieker from the Labour Inspectorate even admitted it — exploitation’s been on the decrease, but retail and hospitality still show "poor behaviour." You don’t say, Brendon.

The operation was about making sure minimum employment standards were met and that employers were following immigration rules for their migrant workers. But here’s the kicker — the MBIE isn’t done yet. They’re still reviewing the data, which means more businesses and dodgy employers might be in for a rude awakening.

So let’s call it what it is. This is long overdue. We’ve let these sectors run wild for too long, turning a blind eye while vulnerable workers are taken advantage of. Exploitation hurts the workers, it drags down fair competition, and let’s not forget, it’s a black mark on New Zealand’s reputation abroad. How’s that for a message to potential tourists and investors?

So here’s hoping this investigation leads to more than just a slap on the wrist for a few.