End Exploitation in Aotearoa Now!

1. Stop Exploiters

We need your support to get our campaign bus on the road. We fight for workers who are exploited and abused. Your generous koha will help us expose the most horrific cases of workers’ exploitation. We can then win quick justice for victims.

Many victims have suffered in silence for years. Their lives are shattered. They are financially destitute. Many are suicidal. The worst crimes are mainly against migrants. But exploitation is colour blind. As word spreads of our success, many more victims are emerging from the shadows. They tell us appalling stories of mental and physical abuse.

Most are forced to work long hours for free. To keep their jobs, many are forced to borrow money to pass to their exploiters. Victims are controlled by blackmail and threats of deportation.

2. The Fight for Justice

Here is sample of four cases showing the reality:

Worker paid $15,000 to boss to keep job (migrants borrow up to $50,000 to pay bosses). Worked 80 hours a week for $400 for three years. This boss has 53 employees in similar bondage.

Boss gets nearly $500,000 COVID wage subsidy. Made several workers ‘redundant’ with no notice. Hired new staff. Kept all the money.

Two workers owed $100,000. Boss pays for legal delays for two years. 3 days before court, “sells” business to son. Liquidates company.

Trust provides housing to students who are forced to work at businesses for free. Legal gag orders on complaints. To avoid us, boss pretends to be overseas during COVID. But he’s hiding in NZ.

These cases are just the tip of the iceberg.

The abuser’s lawyers delay the cases, sometimes for years. Over time, the victim’s health deteriorates. The stress wears them down and they just want to give in. Victims are pressured to sign confidential agreements for a fraction of what is owed. The exploiter gets off scot-free. This is evil.

3. UTU Squad

We love UTU. It’s uniquely Kiwi. It enshrines the Maori concept of restoration and balance. Wrongdoings are acknowledged, and reparations made. Fabulous stuff! When exploiters avoid responsibility, the UTU Squad, made up of volunteers and using the bus, will rally the wider community to win justice.

4. The Teams That Stepped Up

OneUnion – a workers’ union protecting workers from abuse.

Migrant Workers Association (MWA) – helping migrant workers who get exploited.

UTU For the People Squad – volunteers exposing the exploiters and abusers.

5. Will You Help Victims Get Justice?

We are grateful for any koha you honour us with. Offer to join us at justice@utu.org.nz. Our volunteer coordinator Julia will get back to you.

Thank you / Nga Mihi

From the UTU, MWA and OneUnion teams.