Modern-day slavery within agriculture and the fishing industry is taking place right now in New Zealand.
Human traffickers trick people, mainly from Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia, into accepting positions abroad. Once outside their own countries, these people are made to work ridiculously long hours in order to pay off "debts". They often experience both mental and physical abuse.
Forced labour in agriculture and on fishing boats accounts for most of this, but the sex industry is involved too, with young women from Asia and Eastern Europe forced into prostitution.
Although New Zealand officials are aware of the problem, absolutely no prosecutions or convictions on human trafficking or forced labour charges were made last year or action taken to help victims, according to a report from the U.S. Department of State.
Slavery should be a thing of the distant past. Tell New Zealand to take real action on this horrendous abuse of human rights immediately.
We the undersigned ask that you take immediate action to end forced labour practices in your country, somthing which may include introducing new legislation, tightening up the current legislation and ensuring it is all enforced as well as taking action to assist victims.
Slavery, which is what the forced labour of foreign nationals is, is not acceptable under any circumstances and New Zealand must take steps to end this abuse of human rights as a matter of urgency.
Thank you for your attention.
