ILO Report Urges Major Overhaul of New Zealand’s RSE Worker Scheme

An International Labour Organization report urges New Zealand to reform the RSE scheme to reduce worker costs and prevent "blacklisting" and exploitation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 3:42 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The High Cost of Migration

More than 20,000 workers, primarily from 13 Pacific nations, arrive in New Zealand annually to support the horticulture and viticulture sectors. However, the ILO found that many arrive deeply in debt due to:

Documentation and travel costs: Workers often owe money to banks, family members, or their employers before they even start.

Lack of shared costs: The report recommends that employers and the government should shoulder a more equitable share of transport and set-up expenses.

Accommodation Deductions: While rent caps have recently been adjusted (ranging from $150 to $211 weekly), the ILO remains concerned about the transparency of what is deemed a "reasonable" deduction from worker paychecks.

Vulnerability and "Blacklisting"