Probe demanded into Chinese labor abuse claims in NZ

New Zealand unions and opposition politicians Thursday demanded an investigation into allegations that Chinese workers were being exploited in the removal of dangerous asbestos from trains belonging to state-owned rail firm KiwiRail.

Labor Party Member of Parliament Trevor Mallard said he had written to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment asking that labor inspectors look into the employment of Chinese engineers brought in to work on the China-made trains at the Hutt Railway workshops near Wellington.

"My understanding is that a number of Chinese railway engineers dealing with the asbestos issue are being paid well below the minimum wage. The figure quoted to me was 3 NZ dollars (2.55 US dollars) per hour, but I have also heard 40 US dollars per day," Mallard said in a statement.

"That is exploitation and it is illegal," he said.

"Other workers concerned for the engineers have been bringing food to work for them and hosting them for meals in the evening."

The trains were pulled from service earlier this year after asbestos was found in engine bay doors and soundproofing in the cabs.

"At the time KiwiRail said the asbestos was under three layers of paint and unless a crash or fire released the particles, drivers were safe from its effects," said Mallard.

"However, drivers involved in test runs of the locos after they have been 'repaired' are still required to wear masks."

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) said the ministry needed to move quickly to verify whether the allegations of "rank exploitation of the worst kind" had any substance.

"The locos were found to be riddled with asbestos earlier this year and have had to be taken out of service while remedial work has been done to make them safe," RMTU acting general secretary Todd Valster said in a statement.