Some former ELE workers 'walking towards employment' with new visas

Former ELE workers at a union meeting on 11 January 2024.
Photo: RNZ / Luka Forman

A union organiser says progress is being made on the plight of jobless Filipino workers following a meeting this afternoon.

More than 500 migrant workers lost their jobs after labour hire group ELE went into liquidation.

Up to 24 of them were sleeping in cars because they could not afford to pay their rent.

Union Network of Migrants coordinator Mikee Santos said some of the workers had now received a new visa.

“They are now walking towards employment, which is good, but still it’s a long process and there’s still many questions out there.”

Santos said many of the workers were still looking for jobs.

He was also wary of the workers being taken advantage of due to their vulnerable position, and had given them advice about selecting a good employer.

It was “disgusting” that some of them were being asked to work without a visa, Santos said.

He hoped that by next week Deloitte, who are the liquidators for ELE, would be able to provide more information on the situation.

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