UNEMIG Union Network of Migrants

Union Network of Migrants is a network of migrant workers within FIRST Union. FIRST UNEMIG is migrant led, non-profit and non-sectarian.

UNEMIG aims to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers in New Zealand.

Often migrant workers are victims of under legal minimum wage pay, abuse, discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace. Now, UNEMIG can help you. convenors

UNEMIG is for

FIRST Union members who consider themselves as migrant workers or those who have been in the country and are considered as non-New Zealand citizens (i.e. holders of temporary visas if a condition on their visa states they are allowed to undertake employment, work visa holders and permanent residents),
migrant workers of working age who belong to a worksite with no union and / or existing collective agreement,
family members of migrant workers
Migrant workers in a community who would like to be part of the network.

UNEMIG give employment relation advice through the union’s Member Support Centre or migrant advocates. We represent members who are disadvantaged in their work such as below legal minimum labour standards, workplace bullying, discrimination. We also arrange for immigration advice (by appointment), assist migrants on human rights issues and economic trends affecting their employment situation. We refer migrants to relevant agencies as necessary.

We request settlement support for migrants. UNEMIG has a good working relationship with the settlement support coordinators and takes part in regular seminars for new migrants by providing employment relations information. We link migrant workers with migrant community organisations and campaign on various issues affecting migrant workers, unions and communities.

Migrant workers already belonging to FIRST Union and paying a FIRST Union fee can join UNEMIG for free. Other migrant workers may join UNEMIG at a fee of currently $2.35 per week. UNEMIG logo

Contact UNEMIG

Email unemig@firstunion.org.nz
Phone 0800 863 477
Private Bag 92904, Onehunga, Auckland 1643
Fax: (09) 622 8353

Unemig News

Concern for migrant workers in NZ

Date of Release:

11/05/2013

Another shocking migrant worker abuse case has been exposed by FIRST Union's migrant workers organisation UNEMIG, in this One News article from Saturday.

Calls for enforcement of exploitation laws

Date of Release:

17/03/2013

There are calls for tougher enforcement and penalties for employers who exploit migrant workers.

Immigrant labour - growing exploitation?

Date of Release:

17/03/2013

Radio NZ's Philippa Tolley investigates the scale of migrant labour exploitation in New Zealand amid calls for tougher penalties for employers.

$2 an hour 'common' for migrants

Date of Release:

12/02/2013

Unimeg, a union for migrant workers, said such practices were "widespread and common" and migrant workers were continually being exploited because of a lack of official resources.

Migrant worker to take legal action

Date of Release:

12/10/2012

A migrant worker supported by FIRST Union UNEMIG is taking legal action alleging she was exploited.

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