Fair Labor Migrant Agreement Signed in New Zealand

ExtraStaff Ltd Managing Directo Tom Tschudin and FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga sign the Fair Labour Migrant Agreement (FLMA) witnessed by Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo. (Wellington PE photo)

WELLINGTON 15 May 2019 – A landmark deal that will serve as a model for New Zealand employers to ensure that Filipino migrant workers, particularly those in the construction sector, will be protected from workplace exploitation and other abuses was signed at the Philippine Embassy in Wellington on 03 May 2019.

The Fair Labour Migrant Agreement (FLMA) was signed between ExtraStaff Management Ltd, a New Zealand recruitment agency, and FIRST Union – Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) to protect migrant workers, while allowing businesses to make an ethical and legally binding commitment to workers.

FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga recounted that Filipino migrant workers in the construction sector face some horrific human and employment rights abuses so this agreement is timely.

“This is a landmark deal that sets a precedent for other companies to follow and we invite more to do so. I believe this agreement will be monumental in the construction industry,” Mr. Maga said.

According to Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo, “This is a ‘win-win-win’ agreement, which underscores the gains from the tripartite collaboration among the stakeholders and the Filipino migrants.” He also mentioned that, “While this agreement is very Kiwi, it is also very Filipino, as it upholds the principle of “fairness”, a Kiwi attribute, and ensures that the “family”, which is at the heart of every Filipino migrant worker, continues to be provided for.”

Last year, Enterprise Recruitment became the first labor-hire company to sign up to a set of ethical labor-hire standards. This similar agreement signed by Extra Staff Management Ltd and UNEMIG, which aims to protect labour-hire migrant workers, include initiatives such as pastoral care services, which includes accommodation standards, as well as a repatriation clause, among others. END

For more information, visit www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ/.