Samoa Observer

The forgotten Asian workers in NZ’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme

During New Zealand’s 2023 election campaign, a pre-election promise made by the National-led coalition, now in government, was to increase the cap on numbers employed under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to 38,000 by the end of the decade (up from 19,000 in 2022-23) and, possibly, to open RSE recruitment up to other countries.

Introduction

By Charlotte Bedford and Richard Bedford • 11 April 2024, 7:00PM

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
   • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
   • Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination.

Analysis

The article discusses the issues faced by Asian workers in New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. Based on the content, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article highlights the need to address forced labor, modern slavery, and child labor in the RSE scheme. This aligns with Target 8.7 of SDG 8, which aims to eradicate these forms of labor. The article mentions the increase in the cap on RSE scheme employment, indicating efforts to provide more decent work opportunities.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article emphasizes the need for orderly, safe, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including in the RSE scheme. This aligns with Target 10.7 of SDG 10, which aims to facilitate such migration. The article also mentions the recruitment cost borne by employees, indicating the need to reduce inequalities in terms of migration expenses.

3. Indicators

The article indirectly mentions two specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 8.7.1: The article discusses the issue of child labor, which can be measured by tracking the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor.
• Indicator 10.7.1: The article mentions the recruitment cost borne by employees, which can be measured as a proportion of their monthly income earned in the country of destination.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: samoaobserver.ws

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