12 Sep 2018

Sistema workers accuse company of exploitation

From Morning Report, 7:20 am on 12 September 2018

South Auckland factory workers making Sistema plastic containers are demanding an end to employment contracts they say force them to work 60 hour weeks. Staff and their union say they've been exploited for years because they are migrants. Sistema Plastics' CEO Drew Muirhead responded with a statement, saying: "The interests of our employees have always been, and will remain, our highest priority. Claims made by the union about migrant workers are inaccurate and false. We make a substantial investment to provide professional development programs focused on topics such as numeracy and literacy for our migrant workers. We continue to negotiate with the union and to ensure that our 700 employees and team members remain firmly employed in New Zealand."