Queenstown businesses breach employment standards

Fifteen Queenstown employers have been found breaching employment standards.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Immigration NZ visited businesses in the hospitality, retail and service industries and issued 17 notices for a total of 64 minimum employment standard breaches.

Labour Inspectorate southern regional manager Steve Watson said formal investigations had also been launched into the employment activities of seven employers.

"The level of non-compliance identified during this operation was disappointing, especially employees who were not receiving minimum wage for the hours they worked. There were also a high number of employees not receiving their public or annual holiday entitlements," he said.

"It was surprising that there are still employers who do not have written employment agreements and are failing to maintain records compliant with minimum standard legislation.

"The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment takes breaches of employment law seriously and is working proactively to crack down on it through joint compliance operations targeting sectors and at risk workers across New Zealand.

"We will not hesitate to take action for breaches of employment law. Breaches will be subject to compliance action and potentially penalties too of up to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for companies."

MBIE encourages anyone working or knowing anyone who works in that situation to call its contact centre on 0800 209020.

 

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