In 2013, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) commenced a programme of research on vulnerable temporary migrant workers. The first phase involved a review of New Zealand and international literature on the vulnerability of temporary migrant workers (Yuan, Cain and Spoonley, 2014) and an analysis of existing data sources.
The second phase focuses on temporary migrants in the hospitality industry and is the subject of this report. It includes semi-structured interviews with key informants from government agencies, businesses, and other organisations, including migrant communities and unions. It brings these interviews together with analysis of administrative data to better understand the nature and extent of migrant vulnerability in the hospitality industry and effective interventions to address the issues and reduce exploitative practices in the industry. It is important to note that this phase of the research did not include interviews with migrants.
The research shows that the hospitality industry is a significant employer of migrants on temporary visas, particularly working holidaymakers and international students. However, many migrants on Essential Skills, study to work (StW) and family visas are also working in the industry. While very difficult to accurately determine the extent of exploitative practices, the research shows exploitative practices in the industry are a significant concern. Students, migrants on a pathway to residence (including former students) and migrants working for ethnic or migrant-owned businesses are considered particularly vulnerable.