The New Zealand Human Rights Commission has called for significant policy changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme (AEWV), including ending the practice of tying visas to specific employers and implementing a stronger framework for ethical recruitment and worker protections. In addition, further reviews of posts are needed to ensure the legality of staffing.

The AEWV is a temporary work visa program introduced in May 2022 that allows accredited employers to hire employees from abroad. The program aims to combat the exploitation of migrants by ensuring that only accredited employers can hire migrant workers.

A review published on February 27th this year, led by Jenn Bestwick appointed Te Kawa Mataaho (the Public Service Commissioner) found that the AEWV program prioritized reducing visa processing times over addressing the risks of migrant exploitation and system abuse. The review showed that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) focused on meeting demand for migrant workers but did not adequately assess the risks associated with reducing screening checks. This failure led to increased exploitation by unscrupulous employers between July 2022 and June 2023.

Migrants reported They paid large sums to recruitment agencies for jobs that didn’t exist, or were fired upon arrival and forced into unregulated, low-paying work. One migrant described his situation as follows: The visa felt like “handcuffs.”

Changes in the AEWV In April 2024, stricter requirements for employers and visa applicants came into force. These changes included reducing the maximum period of permanent residence for AEWV holders and requiring employers to guarantee at least 30 hours of work per week. New visa applications required higher qualifications or relevant professional experience in addition to meeting English language requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo noted that “the changes made in April did not address the underlying human rights risks.”

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, Speaking of He acknowledged to the New Zealand Herald that migrant exploitation remains a “persistent problem” in New Zealand and assured that the government is “taking action to address these issues”.