Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2015] NZERA Auckland 90
Hearing date 11 Mar 2015
Determination date 25 March 2015
Member V Campbell
Representation R Denmead ; no appearance
Parties Labour Inspector (Begum) v Goldlink Enterprises Ltd t/a Masala Indian Restaurant (in liq) and Anor
Other Parties CHK Hospitality Ltd (in liquidation)
Summary ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY - Applicant sought arrears of wages and holiday pay on behalf of former employee (S") of second respondent - Migrant worker - PENALTY - Applicant sought penalty for respondent's breach of Minimum Wage Act 1983 and Holidays Act 2003 - No appearance for respondents"
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND -;ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY: S not paid for work undertaken for second respondent and entitled to payment of minimum wage. Second respondent to pay applicant $2,000 arrears of wages and $160 arrears of holiday pay. Interest payable.;PENALTY: Failure to pay minimum wage inexcusable. Migrant workers working illegally vulnerable to exploitation given difficulty in workers complaining that not receiving minimum standards. Failure to pay minimum wage serious, repeated and exacerbated by second respondent's denials to applicant. $5,000 penalty for breach of Minimum Wage Act 1983 appropriate. $5,000 penalty for breach of Holidays Act 2003 appropriate.
Result Applications granted ; Arrears of wages ($2,000.03) ; Arrears of holiday pay ($160) ; Interest (5%) ; Penalty ($5,000)(payable to applicant)($5,000)(payable to Crown) ; Disbursements in favour of applicant ($71,56)(filing fee) ; No order for costs
Main Category Arrears
Statutes ERA s136(2);Holidays Act 2003 s75(2)(a);Minimum Wage Act 1983 s10
Cases Cited Begum (Labour Inspector) v Bucklands Beach Ltd (in liq) [2014] NZERA Auckland 479;Tan v Yang [2014] NZEmpC 65
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: 2015_NZERA_Auckland_90.pdf [pdf 239 KB]