Dozens of Asian prostitutes have been deported after raids found the foreigners were illegally selling sex on temporary work visas.
Immigration authorities in New Zealand have kicked out 27 sex workers, one third of whom came from Taiwan, sparking accusations of racism from a union representing sex workers.
While prostitution has been legal in New Zealand since 2003, it is illegal for foreigners on temporary work visas to accept payments for sex.
Dozens of Asian prostitutes have been deported after raids found the foreigners were illegally selling sex on temporary work visas (stock image)
Jules Kim, the chief executive of the Scarlet Alliance which represents sex workers in the Pacific region, said it appeared the sex workers in New Zealand were targeted for being Asian.
‘That definitely does happen. If somebody’s British or from the U.S., they’re less likely to come under the radar than Asian sex workers,’ she told Daily Mail Australia today.
‘There’s definitely a lot more targeting of Asian sex work establishments.’
Of the 27 sex workers deported from New Zealand, nine came from Taiwan, seven came from Hong Kong, followed by six from China, two from Macau with one each from Malaysia, India and Thailand.
Immigration authorities in New Zealand have kicked out 27 sex workers, one third of whom came from Taiwan (stock image)
The deportations occurred after police raided brothels in the Auckland suburb of Panmure, NZME reported.
Unlike Australia, New Zealand bans migrant workers from working as prostitutes.
‘That’s a bit of a flaw in their system,’ Jules Kim said.
‘It’s unfair and it doesn’t make sense. They’re not excluded from working in a cafe for example or they’re not excluded from working in factory.’
An Immigration New Zealand spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that during the past three years, 38 people on temporary visas were deported for engaging in sex work.
‘The Prostitution Reform Act 2003 states that only New Zealand citizens and residents can legally work in the sex industry,’ she said.
The deportations occurred after police raided brothels in the Auckland suburb of Panmure
Immigration New Zealand confirmed the Asian sex workers were deported for breaching the conditions of their temporary visas