Two business owners have been fined thousands of dollars by the Employment Relations Authority for breaching multiple employment standards.
Napier restaurant owner Huichan Xu was fined $30,000 for bypassing minimum standards for two migrant employees at her business, Golden Spring Takeaway, the Government agency announced today.
The businesswoman breached 10 standards, including forcing her staff to work long hours, seven days a week with no days off for a period of over six months.
She also failed to keep wage and time records, and failed to keep holiday and leave records as required by law, says Labour Inspectorate National Manager Stu Lumsden.
In a separate case, Modern Floor and Wall Limited owner Srinivas Panuganti received a $25,000 fine for not providing his employees the minimum wage and failing to maintain holiday and leave records or provide holiday pay to two of his employees.
“The penalties covered the employees being asked to pay a ‘premium’ to the director to retain their employment – basically having to pay to have their job,” says Mr Lumsden.
“Businesses should not be making profit at the expense of their employees," he added. "It is good to see the ERA is holding not only companies but directors personally culpable for penalties.”
MBIE encourages anyone who has information about minimum standards not being met to phone the Ministry’s service centre on 0800 20 90 20, where all concerns will be handled in a safe environment.
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