Seasonal Worker Scheme Reform Needed to Protect Migrants from Abuse

An international report has called for urgent reform of New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme, stating that changes are needed to reduce costs for migrant workers and protect them from abuse.

The report, produced by the International Labour Organization (ILO), recommends that the government and employers share migration costs more equitably, including expenses related to transport, accommodation and set-up for workers arriving from Pacific nations to fill seasonal roles in horticulture and viticulture.

More than 20,000 workers arrive each year from the Pacific under the RSE scheme to work in industries such as fruit-picking, according to the report cited by Radio New Zealand.

The ILO report also urges that workers be allowed to change employers more easily during their stay and have free access to healthcare, noting that those who raise concerns about working conditions are particularly vulnerable to being blacklisted when seeking future employment.

Previous research cited in the report found that RSE workers are unlikely to make formal complaints due to fears of being seen as troublemakers and out of cultural respect for authority, further increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.

the report highlights that workers who are dismissed from their jobs lose their right to remain in New Zealand, and there is currently no clear information provided to workers about the possibility of changing employers.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) confirmed that transfers between employers are possible on a case-by-case basis if requested by an employer, labour inspectorate, engagement partner or Pacific liaison officer, though this process is not widely known or accessible to workers.

The government has said its own review of the RSE programme will consider the ILO report’s recommendations alongside input from employers and Pacific partners.

As of April 2026, the RSE programme continues to operate under its current structure, with ongoing scrutiny from labour advocates and international bodies regarding worker protections and systemic risks of exploitation.