Chinese migrant workers staging a protest with the help of Unite Union. Photo / supplied
The case involving Chinese construction workers caught in bonded labour by a recruitment company is just the "tip of the iceberg", a Chinese building industry chief says.
Forty-eight Chinese workers signed contracts with recruitment firm National Personnel Ltd, and claim to have paid between $40,000 and $55,000 to be brought
into the country by a man named Peter Li.
They have been issued trespass notices from the firm, which also owns the property they occupy, and claim their passports, food and bedding have been taken by representatives of the company.
"I think the reported issue here is just the tip of the iceberg," said Frank Xu, president of the NZ Chinese Building Industry Association.
"There are many more cases like these but victims are afraid to speak up and whistle blow for fear of losing their jobs and income to support their family back home and have their visas revoked."
