Wednesday’s at the WEA: Migrant Workers and the RSE Scheme

Introduced in 2006 the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme provides temporary work visas for workers from the Pacific to fill vaccencies in the horticulture and viticulture industries. According to NZAid, New Zealand’s international aid and development agency, the scheme was “designed with the development of Pacific countries and New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture industries at its heart.” Drawing on field research done by Swedish political scientist Lina Ericsson this presentation will give an insight into the experiences of migrant workers on kiwifruit farms in the rural North Island, while critically examining the RSE scheme in the context of New Zealand’s relationship with the nations of the south Pacific on the issues of trade, development and immigration.

Speaker: Byron Clark
5:30pm, Wednesday September 2
WEA, 59 Gloucester St (map)

Christchurch Forum: Oppose NZ intervention in Afghanistan

New Zealand soldiers have been deployed in Afghanistan for longer than in any other overseas deployment in the army’s history. Now the government is sending in the SAS again. Whereas most people in NZ opposed the invasion of Iraq by Western powers, many still see Afghanistan as the “good war” and there is little public debate about what is really happening in that country and how Western intervention, including the role played by NZ, has brought new misery to the people of Afghanistan.

Come along and hear what has really been happening in Afghanistan since the invasion at the end of 2001 and why NZ armed forces, along with all other Western armed forces, should be withdrawn.

Monday August 31 7:30pm
WEA, 59 Gloucester St
(map)

Spark Audio: Mike Walker on the PFLP Solidarity Campaign

Joel and Alastair interview Mike Walker for VBC Radio about the solidarity campaign “Resistance is not Terrorism” that the WP is running in support of the PFLP’s struggle for the liberation of the Palestinian people.
The file can be streamed or downloaded here.

Christchurch Forum: Honduras – Democracy Under Attack

WP - Honduras Forum Poster - 27th July

7:00pm, Monday July 27
Workers Educational Association
59 Gloucester St (map)

Spark Audio: Interview with Matt McCarten

The Joel Cosgrove Variety Hour interviews Matt McCarten, ex-New Labour Party President and Unite general secretary.
Topics discussed include the split within the Labour Party, the Unite $15 minimum wage campaign as well as more general discussion about Union and its direction.
Download here.