Indian Taste restaurant owner penalised nearly $400k for exploiting migrant staff

An Auckland restaurant owner must pay almost $400,000 after "ruthlessly" exploiting migrant workers. The workers were reportedly paid for only 30 hours of labor per week, despite working up to three times that duration.

The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) announced that Indian Taste Ltd restaurant and its former director, Krishna Khandelwal, had breached multiple employment standards. The ruling highlights a severe case of worker exploitation in the hospitality sector.

The exploitation involved significant underpayment and excessive working hours, leaving the migrant employees in a vulnerable position. The ERA's decision underscores the importance of enforcing labor laws to protect all workers, particularly those from migrant backgrounds who may be less likely to report abuses.

This substantial penalty serves as a warning to other employers who might consider exploiting their staff. The case emphasizes the ERA's commitment to holding businesses accountable for violating employment rights and ensuring fair treatment for all employees.