Wellington- The New Zealand government is investigating claims that Thai workers are being exploited and abused in the country, a newspaper reported MondayThai nationals told the Press that they paid up to 14,000 New Zealand dollars (10,400 US dollars) to recruitment agencies in Thailand for lucrative horticulture jobs in New Zealand.
Instead, eight Thai nationals claimed, they worked 60- to 70-hour, seven-day weeks and public holidays, were paid below the minimum wage on occasion and were bullied by supervisors.
The Thai nationals' temporary work permits were revoked by New Zealand's Immigration Service after a dispute with their employer and they face being kicked out of the country.
New Zealand Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said employers had clear legal obligations toward foreign seasonal workers.
"I have a zero-tolerance policy towards worker abuse and any form of malpractice or corruption," Cunliffe told the Press.
"At the same time, it is important that the full facts of any case are known before conclusions are drawn," he said.
One Thai couple among the foreign workers, Orasa Khambut and Surachet Kannika, both 25, said they were told they could earn 2,500 New Zealand dollars a month each but instead take home 200.
The couple's claims were among several cases investigated by the Press newspaper.
A Christian agency assisting the Thais said such cases of exploitation were not uncommon.
