Union against moves to bring in Chinese builders

By ANGELA GREGORY

Plans by Auckland property developer Andrew Krukziener to lure construction workers from China for a large downtown building project have been opposed by a major union.

The Herald understands Krukziener, through consultants Teesdale Associates, has applied to the Immigration Service to bring in 85 Chinese workers, citing a labour shortage in the construction industry.

Amalgamated Workers Union organiser Ray Bianchi said an agent for Mr Krukziener had approached the union seeking backing for the proposal.

But Mr Bianchi said the union did not believe the move was warranted.

"There may be a shortage but that is because construction companies are not offering the workers enough in wages and conditions."

Mr Bianchi said there would not be a labour shortage if New Zealand pay rates were comparable with Australia's.

"We would attract ex-pats back."

The project under proposal is a 23-storey apartment building on Quay St.

Mr Krukziener did not return Herald calls and a consultant acting for him, David Munro, refused to comment.

He denied making comments attributed to him in an article provided to the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union that Union Quay Development did not want to be accused of exploiting foreign workers.

Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont told the Herald there would be concern if cheap labour was being brought in to maintain a low-paid local workforce.

Ms Beaumont said there was a concern workers were open to exploitation in an industry that had not invested well in training and where in some cases employers offered poor pay and working conditions.

"At a time of low unemployment they are now struggling."

She reported a growing number of similar applications to import labour.

The building sector is predicted to continue growing rapidly next year.

Statistics NZ figures have shown a 42 per cent increase in non-residential building work in September compared to September last year.

Costs in the building sector are now 8.6 per cent higher than they were in June last year.

An Immigration Service spokeswoman said there were currently eight applications for construction industry related work permits, representing a total of 133 overseas workers.

Five of the applications had been approved in principle and three remained under consideration.