Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2017] NZERA Christchurch 144
Hearing date 20-Jan-17
Determination date 30 August 2017
Member D Appleton
Representation M Shahadat ; D Beck
Location Christchurch
Parties Kumar v Punjabi Dhaba Ltd
Summary ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY – Applicant sought arrears of wages and holiday pay – Chef
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;ARREARS OF WAGES AND HOLIDAY PAY: Respondent owed applicant wages over a period of 120 weeks and two days. Ten week deduction made to accommodate applicant’s trip to India upon expiration of his visa and a further eleven week deduction made as applicant could not have legally worked over that time without a visa. Respondent owed applicant wages over 99 weeks. Applicant overpaid following the acquisition of visa and was not owed wage arrears over that period. Money loaned from respondent to applicant could not be differentiated from advances of salary as records of accounts were patchy and personal loans were comingled with advances of salary. Discharges signed by applicant to dispense his right to receive holiday pay not valid as applicant had limited English and did not understand what he signed. Respondent to pay applicant $10,465 arrears of wages and $5,046 arrears of holiday pay.
Result Applications granted ; Arrears of wages ($10,465.93) ; Arrears of holiday pay ($5,046.16) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Arrears
Statutes ERA s130;ERA s131;ERA s132;ERA s142;Holidays Act s50;Holidays Act s56;Holidays Act s86;Wages Protection Act 1983 s4;Wages Protection Act 1983 s5
Number of Pages 17
PDF File Link: 2017_NZERA_Christchurch_144.pdf [pdf 441 KB]