19/10/2026
Important Employment Court decision: overseas payments for New Zealand jobs are illegal
The Court has set a precedent removing uncertainty about migrant exploitation.
The Wages Protection Act prohibits workers being charged a fee for a job. However, previously it was not clear if New Zealand law could be applied to such a payment that was made overseas. The Court has confirmed that these payments made overseas are prohibited.
Migrant workers paying significant sums of money for promises of jobs and residency is a recurring feature of migrant exploitation and is widespread.
The Court’s decision provides a legal tool to help combat this exploitation.
Read more here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/important-employment-court-decision-overseas-payments-for-new-zealand-jobs-are-illegal/