A mining business has been fined $27,000 for underpaying a large number of migrant workers, marking one of the highest penalties in the first year of New Zealand’s Immigration Employment Infringement scheme.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) released figures showing that 142 infringement notices were handed out to 139 employers during the scheme’s first year.
Among the fines, a Wellington construction company received an $18,000 penalty for employing five migrants who breached their visa conditions, and one migrant was found working unlawfully in the country.
In total, the penalties amounted to $431,000, with most fines ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
The construction, hospitality, and beauty industries were the most common targets for infringements.
Michael Carley, Acting General Manager of Immigration Compliance and Investigations, said the scheme has allowed MBIE to address non-compliance more effectively and quickly.
“Before the scheme, we had limited tools to tackle lower-level immigration offenses,” Carley explained.
Now, employers can no longer claim ignorance of the rules when hiring migrants, and past compliance will not shield them from penalties.
“There are serious consequences for those who fail to follow immigration laws,” Carley warned.
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