| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2016] NZERA Auckland 420 |
| Hearing date | 9-Dec-16 |
| Determination date | 23 December 2016 |
| Member | E Robinson |
| Representation | S Blick ; G Bennett |
| Location | Auckland |
| Parties | Labour Inspector v Neelam Ahuja, Chirag Ahuja and Rhythm Ahuja (Re Khoobsurat Ltd) (in Liquidation) and Ors |
| Other Parties | Naari Collection Ltd (in Liquidation) and Neelam Ahuja and Chirag Ahuja, Khoobsurat Collections Ltd (in Liquidation) and Neelam Ahuja and Chirag Ahuja |
| Summary | PENALTY – Authority sought to award penalty on own motion for obstructing or delaying Authority investigation AUTHORITY FOUND – |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND –PENALTY: Authority investigation obstructed by unnecessary and undue pressure placed on witnesses in giving evidence. Respondents responsible for that pressure being applied and subverted or pre-empted effective application of dispute resolution process in this case. Actions serious. Need for deterrence. $20,000 penalty for each respondent appropriate. Respondent’s actions possible contempt of Authority, so determination given to Solicitor-General. |
| Result | Application granted ; Penalty ($10,000)(payable to witnesses)($10,000)(payable to Crown)(first respondent) ($10,000)(payable to witnesses)($10,000)(payable to Crown)(second respondent) ($10,000)(payable to witnesses)($10,000)(payable to Crown)(third respondent) |
| Main Category | Penalty |
| Statutes | ERA s133A ; ERA s134A ; ERA s136(2) ; ERA s142S ; ERA s181 |
| Cases Cited | Borsboom v Preet Pvt Ltd [2016] NZEmpC 143 ; Ho v Chief of Defence Force [2005] ERNZ 93 (EmpC) ; Labour Inspector v Ahuja [2016] NZERA Auckland 400 ; Radius Residential Care Ltd v New Zealand Nurses Organisation Inc [2016] NZEmpC 112 ; Tan v Yang [2014] NZEmpC 65, [2014] ERNZ 733 ; United Foods IUOW v Talley [1992] 1 ERNZ 756 (LC) ; Xu v McIntosh [2004] 2 ERNZ 448 (EmpC) |
| Number of Pages | 16 |
| PDF File Link: | 2016_NZERA_Auckland_420.pdf [pdf 225 KB] |