OFWs in New Zealand Faces Health and Life Hazards While Working in Dairy Farms

A study titled In search of decent work conducted  by the New Zealand Herald who interviewed 27 Filipino workers, three local farmers and a farm manager from July to November of 2016 revealed that Filipino migrant workers in New Zealand farms are facing risks while working in the country’s dairy farm industry where 1,700 Filipinos were estimated to be working in the country’s farm.

Filipino migrant workers were also in desperate conditions for being abused, exploited and maltreated by New Zealanders.

The said study was headed by an author named Sue Bradford and Senior Lecturer, Sue Abel of the University of Auckland.  Their study was primarily intended to determine and assess the employment and working conditions of the workers.

While conducting the study, they’ve found out that Filipino workers were being exploited unlike the New Zealanders. Filipinos were exposed to chemicals which were hazardous to their health and lives as well because they were not provided with protective gears for their protection.

I just keep vomiting with all the chemicals I use, said a respondent.

Some of the respondents said that there were instances when they were required to use motorbikes without a helmet or use a bicycle without lights or brakes for about 2 years.

For one worker who opted to buy his own gear at his own expense, he shed an amount of NZ$700 (P26,000) just for his protection, however, he reported that he was not allowed to take an off from work for the whole month.

The authors said that these concerns were not checked because workers were hopeless and had limited choices. The study also claimed that the exploitation continues and flourishes because of “policies and practices of some farm employers and their government which encourages migration without careful workplace planning.”

Meanwhile, Dennis Maga, Coordinator of UNEMIG (Union Network of Migrants) said that they have a suspicion that problems in the industry exist but did not expect that it was worse than what they’ve thought.

The union will also push for a standard wage for the workers setting at S20.20 (P760.00) per hour, a limit on working hours including breaks and proper training of workers. via CebudailyNews