Disgraced hotel operator still hasn’t learned

Media Release: Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG)

Friday, 25 July 2014

Disgraced hotel operator still hasn’t learned

A publicly disgraced Auckland hotel is still not paying their workers the minimum wage, according to the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG).

Last week the Employment Relations Authority ordered Harbour Oaks hotel to pay workers Nancy and Abraham Agustin nearly $80,000, having not paid their minimum entitlements since the beginning of their employment in 2011, illegally withholding wages, and requiring them to work public holidays without paying penal rates or giving lieu days.

This week the workers’ deposited pay for the hours they have worked is still below the minimum wage. The hotel is now also requesting to extend the 10 day period in which they are required to pay the workers their unpaid wages and entitlements.

“These sustained breaches of employment law demonstrate that Harbour Oaks is simply not able to operate a business in New Zealand,” said UNEMIG Secretary Dennis Maga.

“It is our view that where an employer demonstrates an unwillingness to comply with minimum employment standards on multiple occasions, they should be barred from operating in this country. Running a business should be a privilege and not an absolute right.”

-Ends

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