Exploited, bonded to unreasonable debts, living in slum like conditions and denied religious and cultural freedoms.
That's the conditions workers face under the government's Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme according to an investigation carried out by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner.
Under the RSE programme employees from mainly pacific nations travel here for seasonal work in horticulture or viticulture, with the current cap for this season set at 16,000 workers.
In a letter to the Workplace Relations Minister, Michael Wood, the Commissioner says fundamental human rights are being breached and some of what she's seen warrants criminal investigation.
Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo talks to Lisa Owen.
