Thames Four Square owner forced migrant workers to pay $120,000 for jobs
The owner of a Four Square supermarket in Thames, New Zealand, has been found to have forced migrant workers to pay a combined NZ$120,000 to secure jobs at the store. The finding follows an investigation into exploitative employment practices affecting migrant staff. Authorities say the case highlights ongoing vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in New Zealand's labour market.
An investigation has found that the owner of a Four Square supermarket in Thames, New Zealand, forced migrant workers to pay a combined NZ$120,000 to secure employment at the store, according to RNZ Business. The payments were reportedly demanded as a condition of being hired, a practice that breaches New Zealand employment standards.
Cases of this kind typically come to light through complaints to the Labour Inspectorate or Immigration New Zealand, which investigate employers suspected of exploiting migrant visa holders. Workers in such arrangements are often reluctant to report abuse for fear of losing their jobs or visa status, making enforcement difficult.
Authorities have not disclosed further details of any penalties or remedial action in this case. The finding adds to a wider pattern of scrutiny on migrant exploitation in small businesses, with regulators saying employers who breach labour laws will face consequences.
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