16-03-2024, 01:24 PM
A friend who was working in offshore oil production construction in a design and management capacity about 30 years back recounted a experience of his during a project he was involved in in SE Asia. A module was identified as being behind schedule so for the next week or so ~18 local workers spent very long hours welding, wiring, fitting and applying surface treatments in an area the size of a Kiwi lounge, with inches of water on the floor and fresh air vented in through temporary plastic ducting. End result was that the module was finished on time with no lost time accidents.
Part of the immigrant labour issues we have here may well be that those people are used to far inferior conditions and remuneration in their past work experience so are hesitant to make a fuss and risk losing their work visa status. Often I imagine it's not until co-workers or relatives highlight the inadequacies that the disadvantaged individuals start digging their toes in with their fellow workers then following the lead made.
I'm not justifying abuse of imported workers but often the circumstances aren't as clear cut as clickbait style media reports would lead you to believe.
Part of the immigrant labour issues we have here may well be that those people are used to far inferior conditions and remuneration in their past work experience so are hesitant to make a fuss and risk losing their work visa status. Often I imagine it's not until co-workers or relatives highlight the inadequacies that the disadvantaged individuals start digging their toes in with their fellow workers then following the lead made.
I'm not justifying abuse of imported workers but often the circumstances aren't as clear cut as clickbait style media reports would lead you to believe.