Protecting Our People

In New Zealand and across the world, demand is increasing for businesses to look after the wellbeing of their employees. While many New Zealanders can’t conceive of workers being treated poorly, exploitation occurs here every day.

Workers must be able to raise any concerns about their employment terms and conditions without fear of penalty or other retaliation by their employer.  The aim should be a speedy resolution of any such issues to ensure any harm is as small as possible and quickly remediated.

NZEE expects its members to operate in a fair & respectful manner at all times, to hold themselves accountable and demonstrate the highest standards of employment practice.

The key lever for this accountability is the membership mechanism.

• independently audited by a third party
• frontend verification by third party investigator
• provide evidence of their compliance with membership criteria
• requiring the use of a Worker Voice survey to capture the voice of the worker
• adhering to a Human Rights Policy based on the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights (UNPGs)
• adherence to the rules of the NZEE constitution 

Compliance is reviewed annually. Non-compliant members are removed and supported to improve through an improvement plan carried out by an independent third party. Current members are listed on the NZEE Member Map for public accountability.

Creating environments where people want to work and feel they offer value & impact is important. By collectively committing to and promoting these values and principles, we can foster employment environments that advances the safety, security, and welfare of all people.

Make a complaint about an NZEE Member: chair@nzee.nz

Connecting Now: freephone for employment issues. Interpreters are available for over 180 different languages: 0800 20 90 20

Report Migrant Exploitation: Migrant Exploitation Complaint Online or free phone 0800 200 088

New Zealand Police: Find your Police contact here

Citizens Advice Bureau: Find a Citizens Advice Bureau

Community Law: Free legal help

Unions: Find Your Union - NZCTU

Resolving employment problems: Employment New Zealand

Employment Relations Authority: Employment Relations Authority

Workplace health and safety queries: Contact us | WorkSafe

Make a disclosure about serious wrongdoing at work and be protected: Protected Disclosure

Learn about essential employment information (employee) 

An Introduction to Your Employment Rights

 

Learn about essential employment information (employer)

Employment Learning Modules Learn about essential employment information - free to access

 

New Zealand minimum employment rights of employees – other language translations: Employment NZ Minimum Rights of Employees

 

VisaView allows employers to check the visa status of a person, and if they are allowed to work in New Zealand VisaView | Immigration New Zealand

Saying No to Bribery and Corruption – A Guide for New Zealand Businesses - Ministry-of-Justice-Anti-Corruption-Guide.pdf

All employers are required to comply with minimum employment standards. Employers who have breached employment standards are restricted from recruiting migrant workers. Employers who have breached minimum employment standards » Employment New Zealand

Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations (UDHR) is built on varied legal systems and cultural traditions, the UDHR is an internationally agreed set of standards and obligations regarding how all human beings should be treated by others, including governments. The UDHR was campaigned for by New Zealand during the 1940s, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, and reaffirmed by the world’s governments in 1993, 2000 and 2005.

Introduction to the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNPGs) are the recognised global standard for preventing and addressing business-related human rights harm. New Zealand supports the UN Guiding Principles, which were unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011, and consequently embraced and implemented by numerous other international bodies, businesses, governments (including our own), workers' organisations, and human rights groups, marking a revolution in corporate social responsibility. In short, the UNGPs create a common language for speaking about the roles of states and businesses when it comes to the negative impacts on people that can result from business activities.

OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is at the heart of international co-operation. OECD countries and Key Partners represent about 80% of world trade and investment. New Zealand signed the OECD Convention on 29 May 1973, pledging its dedication to the organization's goals. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is primarily focused on addressing food security, improving agricultural productivity & sustainable development in the agricultural sector, and contributes to global economic growth. The FAO operates under the umbrella of the United Nations (UN).

Human rights | New Zealand Ministry of Justice New Zealand's constitutional framework plays a crucial role in protecting human rights, despite our country not having a single, written constitution. Instead, we rely on a combination of statutes, common law, and conventions to safeguard rights. Key documents such as the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (BORA) and the Human Rights Act 1993 form the foundation of human rights protections in NZ, ensuring civil liberties like freedom of expression, non-discrimination, and the right to a fair trial.

New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (BORA) this is a key piece of legislation that safeguards and promotes fundamental human rights and freedoms in New Zealand. It outlines the civil and political rights of individuals, including freedoms of expression, movement, and assembly, as well as the rights to life, liberty, and fair treatment under the law. BORA ensures that these rights are respected by government bodies and public officials, providing a framework for protecting individuals from unlawful actions and maintaining New Zealand’s commitment to human rights.

Human Rights Act 1993 The New Zealand Human Rights Act 1993 is a critical law that promotes equality and protects individuals from discrimination in various areas of life, including employment, housing, and access to goods and services. It prohibits discrimination based on characteristics such as race, sex, age, disability, religion, and sexual orientation. The Act also established the Human Rights Commission, which works to resolve complaints, provide guidance on human rights issues, and promote understanding and respect for diversity in New Zealand society.

Crimes of Torture Act 1989 This Act implements the country’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The Act makes it illegal to use or condone torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by public officials, including during arrests, detentions, or interrogations. It also covers the responsibilities of New Zealand officials when individuals are in custody or under state control. The Act reinforces New Zealand’s commitment to human rights by ensuring that anyone involved in torture, either directly or through complicity, can be prosecuted.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 This Act is New Zealand’s primary legislation for ensuring workplace safety. It aims to prevent harm by requiring businesses and individuals to take responsibility for the health and safety of workers and others affected by their activities. The Act sets out duties for employers, employees, contractors, and others to identify and manage risks, provide training, and maintain safe working environments. It also introduced stronger enforcement measures, including penalties for non-compliance, to improve workplace safety standards across all industries.

 

What is Modern Slavery?

While New Zealand does not currently have a formal definition of modern slavery, we can draw insights from our closest and most important trading partner, Australia. The Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 provides a comprehensive framework that could serve as a guide for defining and addressing modern slavery in New Zealand.

The Australian Act was the first national legislation to explicitly define modern slavery on a global scale. According to the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 Guidance for Reporting Entities, modern slavery refers to situations where coercion, threats, or deception are used to exploit victims, depriving them of their freedom. Crucially, the term is reserved for severe forms of exploitation and does not include lesser violations such as substandard working conditions or underpayment of wages, although these practices are still illegal and harmful. Left unchecked, they can escalate into modern slavery.