MIGRANT WORKERS, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE UNIONS

Public Meeting: 7.30pm Tuesday 7 April Auckland Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn Recently there have been decisions by companies to make NZ workers redundant while continuing to employ migrant workers on temporary visas. There have been calls by both the Labour Party, National and some unionists for these migrant workers to be laid off first. The immigration service has revoked the work visas of some workers who kept their jobs. Migrant advocates have raised concerns that racist sentiments are being fostered and ask the question why migrant workers shouldn’t have their rights protected. New Zealand-born or permanent residents ask why they should be sacked when temporary visa holders keep their jobs. This raises questions on how unions should be approaching migrant workers when there may be conflicting claims for support from different groups of workers who are their members. Addressing these questions will be speakers involved in the union movement and in advocating for migrant workers. These include:

• Laila Harre, National Secretary of the National Distribution Union
• Dennis Maga, Migrante Aotearoa
• John Minto, Organiser, Unite Union
• Mike Treen, Global Peace and Justice Auckland (Chair)

For more information contact Dennis Maga, 021 971 070, dennis.maga@yahoo.co.nz