Written by Lillian Hanly for RNZ
The Labour party is urging National to strengthen protections for migrant workers in the Free Trade Agreement with India before giving their support. They also want to ensure that New Zealand’s reputation for quality education is upheld, with students under the agreement attending legitimate courses.
In a letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Labour leader Chris Hipkins outlined the conditions that National must meet before considering backing the deal. Hipkins criticized Luxon for rushing the negotiation process and failing to involve Labour in the discussions despite assurances of bipartisanship.
Three key conditions were highlighted in the letter, including clarity on the proposed $33 billion private investment in India over the next 15 years and safeguards to prevent India from revoking market access for key sectors in case of investment shortfalls.
While Labour supports free trade, they emphasize that deals should not harm New Zealand’s interests. Hipkins expressed concerns about the potential risks posed by the agreement and called for increased protections for migrant workers and victims of modern slavery.
The Labour party is open to temporary employment entry visas but insists on measures to prevent exploitation and enhance compliance. They also seek to decouple work visas from individual employers and strengthen protections for victims of modern slavery, including amendments to the Modern Slavery Bill.
Furthermore, Hipkins raised concerns about the lack of student number caps in the agreement, a point of contention among coalition partners. Labour believes that it is crucial to safeguard workers and students from exploitation and vulnerable employment situations.
