Pache.co Information Technologies

When Jeremy Wood and Sandra Pacheco translated victim impact statements from Latin American workers stranded in Auckland, they ended up in tears and felt compelled to help them in any way they could.

Pacheco, who came to New Zealand from Peru 34 years ago, and Wood, whose wife is from Patagonia, Argentina, have been working with about 21 builders from Latin America.

The men are part of a group who claim they paid thousands for working visas to come to New Zealand on the promise of high-paying jobs.

But they allege they arrived to find there was hardly any work and the pay rates were significantly less than what they believed they would receive. Many say they don’t have enough money to survive.

In August, Karen Gibney, the president of the Latin American Community in Tauranga, told NZME about 200 people from Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia had been effected.

The company involved denied there was an issue and told RNZ the men were just disgruntled ex-employees.

Wood and Pacheco both live in New Plymouth, but as they speak Spanish they have been helping to translate the workers’ victim statements.

Pacheco also set up a Givealittle page to raise money for food parcels, student visas, so the worker’s children could go to school, as well as other needs as they arose.

While translating the victim impact statements from Spanish to English “all of us ended up in tears at some point,” Pacheco said.

“I was an immigrant once, and I know what it’s like when you first arrive in the country. It’s really hard.”

Wood said the Latin American men believed the company didn’t provide the jobs they promised. Some of them brought their families with them and they now found themselves without enough money for food.

“Translating these documents was absolutely awful. I couldn’t believe people could be so unkind.”

Wood and Pacheco are organising a high tea with a fashion show in New Plymouth on Saturday, October 7, to raise funds for the stranded workers and their families.

The event will show clothes from Trelise Cooper, Dovetail, Guize, and Collaboration. Tickets are $30 and are available by texting Pacheco on 021 171 1388.

There will also be raffles and a silent auction.

Wood and Pacheco have also been writing up CVs for the men, who have been learning English. Anyone needing a builder can text Wood on 022 573 6789 and he will provide CVs and more information.

“They’re good people. Good team players. None have been in trouble in their home countries. They’re family people. And they want a job.”