Unions warn India-NZ FTA could lead to migrant exploitation
Unions in New Zealand warn that the recently signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement could lead to the exploitation of migrant workers due to new visa provisions. The agreement includes a quota of 5000 visas for skilled Indians to stay in New Zealand for up to three years.
The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement was signed on Monday night in New Delhi. The deal includes a quota of 5000 visas for skilled Indians to stay in New Zealand for up to three years in sectors such as information technology, engineering, and healthcare. Unions warn that the changes could have negative consequences for workers and that they were not consulted on the agreement. The E tū union represents several sectors covered by the agreement and is concerned about the potential for exploitation of migrant workers. The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president also expressed concern about the lack of consultation with unions and the public. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists cautiously welcomed the deal, stating that New Zealand already relies heavily on overseas-trained doctors and that any overseas-trained doctors would still need to meet strict standards.
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