Court Hears Allegations of Child Labor at Gloriavale Dairy Farm

Serious allegations regarding child labor practices at the Gloriavale dairy farm were brought to light during a recent court hearing in New Zealand. The Labour Inspectorate is facing scrutiny for its failure to investigate claims that a group of 14-year-olds is managing a substantial dairy operation, while young girls are reportedly working in the community’s large kitchen.

During the hearing, a group of individuals who previously won cases against the leaders of Gloriavale sought a judicial review of the Labour Inspectorate’s decisions made in 2017 and again in 2021. They argue that the inspectorate incorrectly classified community members as volunteers rather than employees. Lawyer Brian Henry presented these claims to Chief Judge Christina Inglis, emphasizing that the Labour Inspectorate had received legal advice suggesting further investigations were warranted, yet no actions were taken.

Henry explained that inspectors accepted a document known as a partnership agreement at face value. This document, which Gloriavale workers signed, was claimed to signify their partnership in the community’s operations. However, he argued that the workers did not receive adequate legal counsel before signing and were essentially coerced into agreeing.

“It’s an agreement where the balance of power just didn’t exist,” Henry stated. “It was imposed on them in a situation of unity and submission, with no negotiation. They had no choice.”

The Labour Inspectorate’s findings suggested that allegations made by 18 former Gloriavale members were potentially biased due to their disaffection after leaving the community. Henry criticized this assessment, calling it “an absolute staggering conclusion for a civil servant to reach in the face of very serious allegations.”

Increasing concerns about child labor arose during a Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) investigation, which examined the community’s charitable status. The leaders of Gloriavale acknowledged that children and teenagers were engaged in various tasks, including raising chickens, rearing calves, and operating a dairy farm run entirely by students aged 14. Additionally, girls were reported to be working in a “huge commercial” kitchen, while 15-year-olds were said to be responsible for butchering cows.

Henry highlighted a report from the DIA presented to the Labour Inspectorate that included disturbing allegations of forced document signing, assaults, and shunning of members who questioned authority or attempted to leave the community. This shunning effectively isolates individuals from their family members and friends.

The report detailed various incidents, including a child sustaining significant injuries in a deer pen and 15-year-old boys being left unsupervised during butchering activities in an abattoir. Furthermore, men were reportedly engaged in excessive hours of labor within the community’s honey business.

Henry noted that the DIA’s letter to the Labour Inspectorate pointed out potential breaches of employment law, such as excessive working hours, lack of holidays, insufficient maternity leave, employment of children, wages below the legal minimum, and inadequate record-keeping practices.

The Labour Inspectorate subsequently conducted a “desktop review,” concluding that the labor performed was either part of a partnership or a domestic arrangement. Henry characterized this conclusion as alarming, asserting that the inspectors failed to consider the power dynamics involved and the consequences of the partnership agreement.

“This is quite a startling comment from a Labour Inspector,” he said. “He doesn’t look at the power imbalance, who drafted this document, or the real consequences of the declaration of commitment.”

As the judicial review unfolds, it raises significant questions about labor practices within religious communities and the protection of young workers in New Zealand. The implications of the court’s findings could have far-reaching consequences for Gloriavale and its practices going forward.