Media release
3 November 2016
Napier bakery pays $14,423 for employment law failures
The Brown Owl Bakery in Napier has paid penalties and arrears of $14,423 after being caught breaching multiple
employment laws by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Labour Inspectorate, including failing to pay
minimum wage or keep employment records.
“The Inspectorate takes all employment law breaches very seriously, regardless of the size of the business,” says Labour
Inspectorate Regional Manager Loua Ward.
“Every employee working in New Zealand should receive at least their minimum employment entitlements like minimum wage –
it’s a basic right.”
Following the Labour Inspectorate’s investigation, Kosal Eang and Ravi Chay of Brown Owl Bakery paid $8783 in minimum
wage arrears to two employees, and $5640 in penalties imposed by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).
“The Inspectorate is currently visiting a range of businesses across the retail sector, and smaller employers like
bakeries should be prepared for a visit,” says Mrs Ward.
“If we find an employer failing to meet employment law basics such as keeping records or paying minimum wage, the
Inspectorate will take enforcement action against them.”
The Ministry encourages anyone in this situation, or who knows of anyone in this situation, to call its contact centre
on 0800 20 90 20 where their concerns will be handled in a safe environment.
For more information on keeping accurate records, visit employment.govt.nz.
[ENDS]