Sectors under the microscope include retail, hospitality, construction, security, horticulture, viticulture and dairy. File photo. Photo: 123RF
- The Labour Inspectorate is clamping down on "errant" businesses
- Warning for businesses to expect a visit soon
- Targeted sectors include retail, hospitality and primary sectors
The Labour Inspectorate could soon be knocking on the door of hundreds of businesses nation-wide, as it launches a major crackdown on those not abiding by the law.
The inspectorate said it had multiple compliance monitoring operations underway or due to start soon across both major islands.
Sectors under the microscope include retail, hospitality, construction, security, horticulture, viticulture and dairy.
Areas the Inspectorate was looking into included paying the minimum wage, recordkeeping, holiday pay, leave and payment of premiums.
In some cases, the operations may be supported by Immigration New Zealand and Tenancy Services, it said.
"Combating exploitation of workers - migrants and others - is a priority for the Labour Inspectorate and MBIE's other regulatory teams," Labour Inspectorate head Simon Humphries said.
"We want employers to operate on a level playing field where no one is taking unfair advantage by abusing employees or skirting employment legislation," he said.
Humphries said one of the larger operations - Operation Atoll - saw inspectors visit businesses in the central North Island starting in late January.
"So far in this operation, teams of labour inspectors have visited employers in the Hamilton and Napier areas and several areas of concern were identified," he said.
"Numerous other operations are also already underway nationally while other major operations are due to start later this month."
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