Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says a Domino’s franchise operator has been banned from employing further migrant workers for a year after a worker was found to be employed in breach of their work visa conditions. The company, GBN Trading LTD, trades as Domino’s Pukekohe and Domino’s Pokeno.
The operator challenged the infringement notice through the Courts and must now pay NZD $4,500, made up of a NZD $3,000 fine and NZD $1,500 in prosecution costs, on top of the 12 month hiring ban.
According to INZ, the worker’s visa conditions permitted them to do administration work in Auckland at Domino’s Pukekohe, but they were found to be working at Domino’s Pōkeno in Waikato. National Manager Investigations Jason Perry says the breach was deliberate.
“The employer knowingly employed someone in a way that did not meet the conditions specified on their work visa and now they must face the consequences,” he says.
Infringement scheme results
INZ says its immigration infringement scheme has been in place for two years. In that time more than 300 infringement notices have been issued, totalling NZD $1,000,000 in penalties.
“This shows that immigration breaches are taken seriously. Employers must follow their obligations, and if they don’t, our immigration infringement scheme has proven to be an effective tool in holding them to account,” says Jason Perry.
INZ notes that more serious breaches may result in criminal charges.
More information on the immigration infringement scheme is available from INZ.
