A Wellington shop worker has been awarded $38,872.71 in compensation after the Employment Relations Authority found his employer regularly took money out of his wages.
Shopperstop, a small business in Courtenay Place that sells takeaway food, has been ordered to pay Tarun Bhola, after an investigation uncovered what it described as serious and sustained breaches.
The authority said Shopperstop director Harpreet Mundra deliberately took advantage of Mr Bhola's vulnerability as a migrant worker dependent on a work visa by making him pay an initial lump sum of nearly $8000.
It found Mr Bhola was made to repay part of his weekly wages in cash.
Labour inspector Kevin Finnigan said an investigation found Mr Mundra also failed to pay minimum wages, statutory holidays and provide annual leave.
He said Mr Mundra did not keep adequate time and wage records.